For Immediate Release
Friday, November 12, 2021
NSIC Media Relations
NSIC Elite 18 Award

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Jena Berkland of Concordia-St. Paul was named the 2021 NSIC Elite 18 Award winner for women’s soccer.  Berkland was presented the award during the pregame of the Concordia-St. Paul at Bemidji State semifinal match at the NSIC Tournament, which is taking place at Chet Anderson Stadium in Bemidji, Minnesota. Berkland, who also earned the award in 2019, joins Kara Lindberg (2019 Indoor Track & Field & 2020 Cross Country) and Adam Hildebrandt (2018 Baseball), Rachel Westemeier (2020-21 Indoor Track & Field) and Cole Olson (Outdoor Track & Field (2019-20) as the only Golden Bears to earn the NSIC Elite 18 Award.

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 their sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among their 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.

Berkland is a junior majoring in exercise science, holds a 4.0 grade point average and aspires to attend grad school to become a Physical Therapist.  The Crystal Lake, Illinois native has started 18 matches this season for the Golden Bears, recording five goals and two assists for 12 points from her forward/midfielder position. In her three seasons, she has started 61 matches, scored 12 goals (five game-winners) with six assists for 30 points.