For Immediate Release
Thursday, May 2, 2019
NSIC Elite 18 Award

ROCHESTER, Minn. -  Amber Kral of Minnesota State University, Mankato was named the 2019 NSIC Elite 18 Award winner for softball. Kral was presented the award prior to the Maverick's opening round game in the NSIC Softball Tournament, which is taking place Thursday-Saturday at RYFSA Complex in Rochester, Minnesota.  Kral joins Maggie Knier (S&D 2017-18 & 2018-19) and Erica Ellstrom (S&D  2016-17) as the only NSIC Elite 18 Award winners from MSU. 

Kral is a junior majoring in communication disorders and holds a 4.00 grade point average.  The Wellman, Iowa native tied for second in the league with 10 doubles and ranked 18th in batting average as she hit .387 during NSIC play.  During the regular  season she led the Mavericks with a .369 batting average and was second on the team with a .532 slugging percentage, a .418 on base percentage and 28 RBI.

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.