New conference award to honor top athletes

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The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced that it will honor student-athletes with a new award; the Elite 22.

The MIAC announced the award on Aug. 21, with the intent to recognize the dedication top athletes give to academics and athletics on the conference level.

Keaton Wendroth pushes through to the finish line at a track meet in February. Wendroth said the Elite 22 award will give athletes an opportunity to get recognized at the conference level. (Rosie Murphy/TommieMedia)
Keaton Wendroth pushes through to the finish line at a track meet in February. Wendroth said the Elite 22 award will give athletes in the conference an opportunity to get recognized. (Rosie Murphy/TommieMedia)

“Division III is all about academics before athletics,” volleyball player Paige Brimeyer said. “It’s important to recognize people that excel in both.”

The Elite 22 award, which mirrors the NCAA’s Elite 89, will honor athletes who excel both in the game and the classroom. For team sports, the recipient will be the student-athlete with the highest GPA in the MIAC playoff championship game. In individual sports, the recipient will be the student-athlete with the highest GPA to earn All-Conference honors in the MIAC playoffs. The first awards will be handed out this year at the end of the fall sports season.

MIAC Executive Director Dan McKane said the purpose of the award is to look at the balance between academic and athletic success.

“(We) want to highlight what we want to be known for, not only just really competitive athletics but strong academics as well,” McKane said.

To Brimeyer, it’s the “ultimate award for a resume,” and cross country runner Keaton Wendroth said it’s a good way to praise more athletes.

“(Having an award) a bit closer to home gives the athletes in the conference a chance to get recognized. The NCAA is a big playing field,” cross country runner Keaton Wendroth said.

St. Thomas has had several Elite 89 award winners in the past, including volleyball player Kia Johnson, golfer Mike Mortenson and football player Keegan Bragg. Brimeyer described her former teammate Johnson as “the hardest working girl” she knows.

“She was the perfect example that smart people make great athletes,” Brimeyer said.

St. Thomas Athletic Director Steve Fritz said the Elite 22 award will encourage student-athletes to excel in all areas of life at St. Thomas.

“The award will further promote our core values of providing excellence in athletic competition and academics,” Fritz said.

Gaby Lozada can be reached at loza6563@sthhomas.edu.