For Immediate Release
Saturday, October 26, 2019
NSIC Media Relations
NSIC Elite 18 Award

WAYNE, Neb.  – Sam Wilke of the University of Mary was named the 2019 NSIC Elite 18 Award winner for men’s cross country.  Wilke was presented the award during the post championship ceremony at the NSIC Cross Country Championships, which were held at Wayne Country Club in Wayne, Nebraska and hosted by Wayne State College.   Wilke, who earned the NSIC Elite 18 for men's indoor track & field last February, joins Dallas Horner (2016-17 IDTF) as the only UMary student-athletes to earn the NSIC Elite 18 Award.

Wilke is a senior majoring in biology and holds a 4.00 grade point average.  The Bismarck, North Dakota native finished in 30th place with a time of 27:03.57 at this year's NSIC Championships.

As part of the NSIC 25th Anniversary celebration during the 2016-17 academic year, the NSIC Elite 18 Award was instituted to recognize the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the NSIC Championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The NSIC Elite 18 award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NSIC’s 18 Championships.

Selection Criteria
1. Academically the student-athlete has achieved at least a sophomore status as defined by his or her own institution.

2. Athletically the student-athlete is in his or her second year of competition at his or her current institution.

3. Athletically the student-athlete is an active member on the roster and a member of the designated squad size for the sport at the championship site.

4. A student-athlete may win the award only once per academic year even if she or he participates in more than one sport.

5. Grade point average is based on the cumulative grade point average at the time of nomination as calculated by each institution. Grade point average calculations will be based on a 4.00 scale and will be reported to two decimal places.

6. In the event of a tie based on grade point average, the award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest total number of credit hours earned.

7. If a tie still exists after looking at the total number of credit hours earned, all student-athletes who are tied shall be presented with the NSIC Elite 18 Award.