ALLENDALE, Mich. – Benedict College's Eilika Lane won the NCAA Elite 90 Award for Women's Outdoor Track and Field on Thursday, becoming the first person in the college's history to earn this prestigious award.
 
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 90 championships.
 
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.
 
Lane, a junior in the classroom, has a perfect 4.0 GPA. She is a Sport Management major.
 
"I'm very proud of Eilika and expect nothing less from her because she is one of the hardest working student-athletes I know," said Benedict head coach Frank Hyland. "She is everything our program stands for. She communicates as a professional, has a caring heart, has pride in the program, faith in everything she does, believes in collective goals as a program and she trusts the process!"
 
Lane competed in the women's 400-meter hurdles event at the NCAA Championship, which is being held on the campus of Grand Valley State University, on Thursday night. She did not advance to Saturday's final round.
 
Lane won gold medals in the 400-meter hurdles, 400-meter dash, and 4x400-meter relay at the SIAC Championships. She is ranked 16th in the field of 20 women in the 400-meter hurdles event.