INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The NCAA announced Wednesday that Kenyon College sophomore Haley Townsend was named the Elite 89 award winner for Division III women's swimming. The award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA's 89 championships.
Townsend, an International Studies major with a perfect 4.0 grade point average, is competing at her second consecutive NCAA Championship. Entering this year's four-day national meet, Townsend already has seven career All-American awards and one national title on her swimming resume. That national title came as a part of the Ladies' 400-medley relay team that set a Kenyon record time of 3:40.13 at the 2013 NCAA Championship.
Townsend, a sprint specialist, will be used in multiple events at this year's championship, but her top seed entering the meet is the No. 6 spot in the 100-yard freestyle.
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.
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 competing at the championship. All GPAs are based on a straight grading scale to ensure consistency among institutions and all ties are broken by the number of credits completed.
