SEATTLE – Audrey Rekedal, a senior at Seattle Pacific University, is the recipient of the Elite 90 award for the 2024 NCAA Division women's rowing championships.
Rekedal, majoring in political science, currently carries a 4.0 GPA. Rekedal was presented with the award during the women's rowing championships presentation on Saturday afternoon in Bethel, Ohio.
"Audrey's strengths in the classroom are evident in her athletic pursuits as well," head coach
Caitlin McClain said. "In the same way she prioritizes preparation for papers and exams, she is diligent in the peripheral aspects of athletic performance such as warming up, active recovery, and nutrition. She's incredibly hard-working, detail-oriented, and goes above and beyond to achieve her goals."
The Elite 90, an award founded by the NCAA, recognizes 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. The Elite 90 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA's championships.
"The SPU athletic department is extremely proud of
Audrey Rekedal and the diligent work she put in to earn this prestigious award as the top scholar-athlete at the NCAA rowing championships," Director of Athletics Dan Lepse said. "She exemplifies our ideal of a Falcon student-athlete, emphasizing academics before athletic pursuits. Audrey is obviously exceptional in both endeavors."
Eligible student-athletes are sophomores or above academically who have participated in a sport for at least two years with their school. All ties are broken by the number of credits completed.
"An episode at the national regatta typified her extraordinary efforts as a student-athlete, and the time-management demands that entails," Lepse added. "Following the first race of the championships with her crew, on Friday morning, Audrey studied during the 45-minute bus ride back to the hotel. Upon arrival just before noon, she sprinted into the hotel to a meeting room and quickly got online with her laptop to take a final exam."
For more information on the Elite 90 award winners, log on to
https://www.ncaa.com/elite-90.
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