LA CROSSE, Wis. --- Amber Celen, a senior at Bridgewater College, is the recipient of the Elite 90 award for the 2018 NCAA Division III women's track & field championship.

Celen, majoring in sociology/communications, graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA and was presented with the award during the national championship banquet. 

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.

Celen qualified for last year's NCAA championships with a perfect grade point average as well, but lost out on the award to a senior with a 4.0 GPA.

She was a CoSIDA Academic All-American in 2015-16 and 2016-17, has won three individual national championships in her career, and enters this weekend's meet as an 11-time All-American.

Celen is competing in the 100 meters and 200 meters this week after placing in the top-two nationally in both events at last year's NCAA outdoor championships. She won the 100 meters and placed second in the 200m- an event that she earned a national title in during the 2017 indoor campaign.

Celen was last year's USTFCCCA National Scholar-Athlete of the Year, after winning Indoor National Athlete of the Year recognition from the same organization.

This is the third Elite 90 award for a Bridgewater student-athlete, with all three coming from women's outdoor track & field. Christina Rhodes won in 2010 and 2011.

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

--- This release is courtesy of the Bridgewater College sports information department. ---
www.bridgewatereagles.com