Two Student-Athletes Earn Elite 89 Awards in 2013-14
NCAA Elite 89 Award Website
All-Time Elite 89 Award Recipients from the PSAC
Two student-athletes from PSAC institutions,
Lucy Kauffman of Shippensburg,
Emily Francis of Mercyhurst, were honored as recipients of the NCAA Elite 89 Award during the 2013-14 academic year.
With two 2013-14 Elite 89 Award winners, the PSAC total increases to 16 winners during the first five years of the award, including 13 at Division II championships.
Kauffman, a pre-pharmacy major with a minor in biochemisty, compiled a 3.925 grade point average through 65 credit hours when she received the field hockey Elite 89 honor. Kauffman is the third field hockey Elite 89 honoree from Shippensburg, as Kristen Brooks won in 2009 and 2010.
Shippensburg Full Story
Francis, a member of the Mercyhurst women’s rowing squad, held a perfect 4.0 grade point average when she accepted the award in May. She is a double major in intelligence studies and public health and is the third Laker to win an Elite 89 award in the last two years.
Mercyhurst Full Story
The NCAA Elite 89 award was founded by the NCAA to recognize the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. It is presented to one student-athlete, who must be at least a sophomore in both academic and athletic standing, with the highest grade point average at the finals site for each of the NCAA’s 89 championships across all three divisions - I, II and III. Named the Elite 88 Award in its first two years of existence, it was renamed the Elite 89 for the 2011-12 academic year after the addition of one more NCAA championship.