Paige Danielson Named NCAA Elite 90 Award Winner

An electrical engineering major, Danielson becomes the first Cougar to receive the Elite 90 Award, holding a 4.0 GPA.
By: Washington State Athletics

HAMILTON, N.J. – Washington State University rowing sophomore, Paige Danielson, has been named the NCAA Elite 90 Award winner for Division I rowing, presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the 2017 NCAA Rowing Championships, the NCAA announced at the championships banquet, Thursday at Mercer County Park Indoor Tennis Facility.

A native of St. Cloud, Minn., Danielson has a 4.0 grade point average and is majoring in electrical engineering. Danielson is in her first year with the varsity eight after rowing with the varsity four crew as a freshman in 2015-16. Currently ranked 15th in the nation, the Cougars are participating in their fifth-straight NCAA Championships. Danielson was a part of last year’s 12th-place finish, as her varsity four crew finished 15th in 2016.

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.

Danielson becomes the first Cougar to win this award in any sport, as the award is in its eighth year, having started in 2009-10. 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.

Competition at the 2017 NCAA Rowing Championships begins Friday, May 26, at 9 a.m. ET/6 a.m. PT, at Mercer Lake at West Windsor, N.J. The championships wrap up Sunday, May 28.

For more information on the Elite 90 award winners, log on to NCAA.com/elite-90.