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

MANKATO, Minn. – Tiegen Lindner of Augustana University was named the 2020-21 NSIC Elite 18 Award winner for men’s indoor track & field.  Lindner was presented the award at the NSIC Indoor Track & Field Championships, which were held at Myers Field House in Mankato, Minnesota and hosted by Minnesota State University, Mankato. Lindner becomes the sixth student-athlete from Augustana to earn the award since its inception in 2016-17. 

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.

Lindner is a senior majoring in exercise science and fitness management and holds a 3.99 grade point average.  The Sioux Falls, South Dakota native earned All-NSIC honors as he finished third in the 600m run with a time of 1:22.35. He also placed fourth in the 800m run with a time of 1:56.34.

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