Western Washington Vikings Women's Crew - Western Washington University Official Athletic Site

Northey wins Elite 89 award for NCAA II Women's Rowing Championship

WWU senior has 3.92 GPA, highest among student-athletes competing at nationals

Megan Northey

May 24, 2012

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Western Washington University's Megan Northey, a senior from Brier and a graduate of King's High School, is the recipient of the Elite 89 award for the 2012 NCAA Division II Women's Rowing Championship. She is the first Viking student-athlete to receive the honor in any sport.

Northey, majoring in kinesiology, currently carries a 3.92 grade point average. She was presented the award at the championship banquet Thursday evening in West Windsor, New Jersey.

It is the fourth trip to nationals for Northey, team captain and No.7 seat in the WWU eight shell. Earlier this week, she was named a first-team Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association/NCAA II Pocock All-America and CRCA National Scholar-Athlete. Northey also is on the ballot for CoSIDA Academic All-America honors after being a first-team All-District 8 At-Large honoree.

Beginning Friday, Northey is looking to lead the Vikings to an eighth straight national title, being on championship teams in each of her first three years. She rowed in national title winning eights in 2009 and 2011, and was in a shell that placed second in 2010.

Northey has had three gold medal winning performances in DII eights competition at the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championship Regatta. She is a three-time Northwest Collegiate Rowing Conference academic all-star and received NCRC all-star honors this spring.

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. The Elite 89 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.

For more information on the Elite 89 award winners, log on to NCAA.com/elite89.