Illinois Wesleyan sophomores
Lexi Baltes and
Nick Anderson are the recipients of the Elite 89 awards for the 2012 NCAA Division III women's and men's basketball championships, respectively.
The student-athletes were presented with the awards during their respective championship sport banquets on Thursday night (March 15) in Holland, Mich., where the women are playing in the final round, and in Salem, Va., where the men are participating in their final round.
Baltes has a 3.876 grade-point average majoring in English with a concentration in secondary education and political science at Illinois Wesleyan. A 5-7 guard, she has played in all 31 games and started nine, averaging 4.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game.
Anderson, an accounting major with a 3.975 GPA, has played in all 30 games and scores 4.2 points per game while gathering in 2.8 rebounds.
The Elite 89, 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 89 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.
Eligible student-athletes are sophomores or above who have participated in their sport for at least two years with their school. They must be an active member of the team, traveling and a designated member of the squad size at the championship. All ties are broken by the number of credits completed.
For more information on the Elite 89 award winners, log on to
NCAA.com/elite89.
