Courtesy: Lynn Athletics
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Catalina Berraud-Galea, a senior at Lynn University, is the recipient of the Elite 90 Award for the 2019 NCAA Division II Women’s Swimming Championship. She becomes the first student-athlete at Lynn to repeat as the Elite 90 Award winner, the 29th to do it in NCAA DII history and the first in women’s swimming.
Berruad-Galea, majoring in sports management, currently carries a 4.0 GPA. She was presented with the award during the men’s and women’s swimming and diving banquet on Tuesday evening in Indianapolis, Ind. This is the sixth Elite 90 Award for Lynn University.
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.
Berraud-Galea received recognition in 2018, joining past Lynn winners: Ellen Chambers (2014 – women’s golf), Martin Wehlert (2012 – men’s soccer), Harold Gracholski (2011 – men’s soccer) and Christine Johnstone (2010 – women’s tennis). She is the 22nd student-athlete overall in Sunshine State Conference history to be recognized. Florida Southern leads the way with seven honorees followed by Lynn, Barry (five), Rollins (two), Nova Southeastern (1) and Saint Leo (1).
For more information on the Elite 90 award winners, log on to NCAA.com/elite-90.