GREENSBORO, N.C. --- The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has announced that Washington and Lee junior Tyler Bernard (Short Hills, N.J./Millburn) is the recipient of the Elite 90 Award for the 2021 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship.
 
Bernard, an environmental studies and philosophy double-major, was presented with the award at the conclusion of the team's practice session at the NCAA Championship on Thursday afternoon in Greensboro, N.C.
 
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.
 
Bernard becomes the first W&L men's soccer player to earn the award and just the third W&L student-athlete across all sports to claim the honor. Brooke Donnelly '17 (Women's Tennis) and Luke Farley '18 (Men's Golf) each earned the distinction in 2016, with Donnelly repeating as the winner in 2017.
 
For more information on the Elite 90 award winners, click here.
 
The top-ranked Generals will meet No. 6 Connecticut College in the National Semifinals on Friday at 5:00 pm at UNCG Soccer Stadium in Greensboro.