For Immediate Release
Friday, February 26, 2021
NSIC Media Relations
NSIC Elite 18 Award

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.  – Carah Drees of Minnesota State University, Mankato was named the 2020-21 NSIC Elite 18 Award winner for women’s basketball.  Drees was presented the award during pregame of the NSIC/Sanford Health Women’s Basketball Tournament quarterfinal game Friday at the Sanford Pentagon. Drees joins Alex Goettl (2019 - FB), Amber Kral (2019 - SB), Maggie Knier (S&D 2017-18, 2018-19 & 2019-20) and Erica Ellstrom (S&D  2016-17) as NSIC Elite 18 Award winners from MSU.

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.

Drees, a native of Sloan, Iowa, is a sophomore majoring in biology, while holding a 3.98 grade point average. A member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), she has played in five games this year for the Mavericks, scoring seven points and grabbing 11 rebounds with five blocks. As a freshman she appeared in 12 games, scoring six points and grabbing eight boards.  

As a senior at Westwood Community High School, Drees averaged 16 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.3 blocks while being named IGCA (Iowa Girls Coaches Association) 1st Team All-State (Class 1A). She finished her high school career with over 1,000 points 900 rebounds and 500 blocks and was an Iowa Academic All-State Selection.
 
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