For Immediate Release
Saturday, November 19, 2016
NSIC Media Relations
NSIC Elite 18 Award

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Maria Fruechte of Winona State University was named the 2016 NSIC Elite 18 Award winner for volleyball.  Fruechte was presented the award during the pregame of the Winona State at Concordia-St. Paul semifinal volleyball match at the NSIC Tournament, which is taking place at the Gangelhoff Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. Fruechte joins Raissa Hansen (Women's Cross Country) of Winona State University, Grant Pulver (Men's Cross Country) of the University of Minnesota Duluth, Aaron Schaffer (Football) of the University of Sioux Falls and Andrea Franco (Soccer) of Minot State University as recipients of the NSIC Elite 18 Award. 

Fruechte is a junior majoring in exercise/rehab science and holds a 4.0 grade point average.  The Caledonia, Minnesota native has started  all 23 matches for the Warriors this season, recording 139 kills, 160 digs and 40.0 blocks from her outside hitter position. 

As part of the NSIC 25th Anniversary celebration, 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.

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