BURNSVILLE, Minn. - Concordia St. Paul's Kara Lindberg earned the NSIC Elite 18 Award for women's cross country as she held the highest grade point average among the 15 women's cross country schools. Lindberg, who also won the 2018-19 Elite 18 for women's indoor track & field, is the fourth student-athlete from Concordia-St. Paul to earn the NSIC Elite 18 Award.  She joins Cole Olsin (2020 ODTF), Jena Berkland (2019 - Soccer) and Adam Hildebrandt (2018 - Baseball) as the only Golden Bears to earn the NSIC Elite 18 Award.

Lindberg is a senior majoring in accounting and holds a 4.00 grade point average.  The Pine Island, Minnesota native was selected to the CoSIDA Academic All-America Third Team, earned USTFCCCA All-Academic Honors and is a multiple time selection to the NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence. She competed in all six races for the Golden Bears in 2019 and ran the second fastest 5K in school history at the Augie Twilight with a time of 18:47.2. She finished 27th at the NSIC Championships with a 6K time of 23:29.93.  

"Kara is a significant contributor to our growing CSP Golden Bear program. She sets high expectations for herself and her teammates. A pop quiz will drive her to give the same strong effort as a Championship race. She takes her leadership role seriously, thinking of new goals for the team to reach. In setting school records in cross country and track, Kara has always exhibited a humble and grateful spirit. She is a true blessing to our CSP program," stated Concordia-St. Paul Head Cross Country Coach Jonathan Breitbarth.

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.