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

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Jena Berkland of Concordia-St. Paul was named the 2019 NSIC Elite 18 Award winner for women’s soccer.  Berkland was presented the award during the pregame of the St. Cloud State vs. Concordia-St. Paul semifinal soccer match at the NSIC Tournament, which is taking place at Sea Foam Stadium in St. Paul, Minnesota. Berkland joins Kara Lindberg (2019 Indoor Track & Field) and Adam Hildebrandt (2018 Baseball) as the only Golden Bears to earn the NSIC Elite 18 Award.

Berkland is a sophomore majoring in exercise science and holds a 4.0 grade point average.  The Crystal Lake, Illinois native has started 19 matches this season for the Golden Bears, recording three goals, two game-winning and two assists for eight points from her midfielder position. In her two years, she has scored seven goals with three assists for 18 points. 
 

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