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

WEST FARGO, N.D. – Gabriela Reis of Southwest Minnesota State University was named the 2020-21 NSIC Elite 18 Award winner for women’s swimming & diving.  Reis was presented the award during the NSIC Women’s Swimming & Diving Championship senior recognition ceremony. Reis joins Rhiannon Sears (ODTF 2017) as the only Mustangs 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 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.

The NSIC Swimming & Diving Championships are taking place Wed.-Sat. Feb. 10-13 at the Hulbert Aquatic Center in West Fargo, North Dakota; hosted by Minnesota State University Moorhead. 

Reis, a native of Petropolis, Brazil, is a senior majoring in exercise science, while holding a 4.0 grade point average. She is a two-year letter winner for the Mustangs after spending two seasons at Iowa Lakes Community College.

At this year's championship, Reis was part of the 200-yard freestyle relay that finished in 11th place on Thursday night with a school record time of 1:41.24. On Wednesday night, she was a member of the 200-yard medley relay team that placed 14th overall with a time of 1:53.82. She also competed with the 800-yard freestyle relay team and as an individual in 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard breaststroke.
 
NSIC Elite 18 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