For Immediate Release
Friday, February 15, 2019
NSIC Media Relations
NSIC Elite 18 Award

WEST FARGO, N.D. – Maggie Knier of Minnesota State University, Mankato was named the 2018-19 NSIC Elite 18 Award winner for women’s swimming & diving.  Knier was presented the award during the scholar-athlete recognition ceremony which took place prior to the start of the evening events of the NSIC Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships on Friday.  Minnesota State has now won all three of the NSIC Elite 18 Awards for swimming and diving as Knier won the same award last year and Erica Ellstrom earned the award in 2016-17.

Knier is a junior, triple majoring in mass media, marketing and art while holding a 4.0 grade point average.  The Big Lake, Minnesota native finished fifth in the 50-yard freestyle and ninth in the 200-yard freestyle at this year's championships. She was also part of three relay teams at the championship this season.  She was part of the winning 200-yard medley relay team, which set an NSIC record with a time of 1:43.33. She also swam on the 400 yard medley relay that took second and the 200 yard freestyle relay that finished third.

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.

For more information on the Elite 18 award winners, log on to: http://northernsun.org/Elite18