Aberdeen, S.D.—Northern State senior, Sasha Hovind was honored Wednesday evening as the recipient of the Elite 90 award for the 2018 NCAA Division II Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championship. She is the second NCAA Elite 90 winner for the Wolves this season, as DJ Pollard was the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball recipient.

Hovind, majoring in Elementary Education, currently carries a 4.0 GPA at Northern State. She was presented with the award during the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Banquet on Wednesday evening in Charlotte, North Carolina. Hovind is a 9-time All-American for the Wolves in both cross country and track and field. She enters the championships competing in both the 5000m and 10,000m events, as she looks to become the most decorated track and field student-athlete in school history.

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.

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 90 award winners, log on to NCAA.com/elite-90.