For Immediate Release
Saturday, February 23, 2019
NSIC Media Relations
NSIC Elite 18 Award

MANKATO, Minn,  – Sam Wilke of the University of Mary was named the 2018-19 NSIC Elite 18 Award winner for men’s indoor track & field.  Wilke was presented the award during the post championship ceremony at the NSIC Indoor Track & Field Championships, which were held the past two days at Myers Field House on the campus of Minnesota State University, Mankato. Wilke joins Dallas Horner (2016-17 IDTF) as the only UMary student-athletes to earn the NSIC Elite 18 Award.

Wilke is a junior majoring in biology and holds a 4.00 grade point average.  The Bismarck, North Dakota competed in the mile at this years championship, finishing sixth in a time of 4:29.19.  Wilke's personal best times this season are 2:35.84 in the 1000m and 4:24.79 in the mile.  Wilke was also a part of the All-NSIC DMR team that clocked a time of 10:08.17 to finish second on Friday. 

As part of the NSIC 25th Anniversary celebration, 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.