University of Minnesota Duluth sophomore runner Elizabeth VanLoon was named the 2023-24 NSIC Elite 18 Award winner for women's indoor track & field Saturday. VanLoon was presented the award during the post championship ceremony at the NSIC Indoor Track & Field Championships, which were held the past two days at Myers Field House in Mankato, Minnesota.

As part of the NSIC 25th Anniversary celebration during the 2016-17 academic year, the NSIC Elite 18 Award was instituted to recognize the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the NSIC Championship level in their sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among their peers. The NSIC Elite 18 award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NSIC's 18 Championships.

VanLoon is sophomore majoring in cell and molecular biology and holds a 4.00 grade point average. The New Brighton, Minnesota native competed in the 5000m and 3000m runs at this year's championships.  Earlier this season she ran the 3000-meters in 10:34.57 at the Ted Nelson Classic, a time that ranks 22nd in the NSIC this season.  She also recorded a time of 18:51.37 in the 5000-meters at the St. Olaf Invite to rank 19th in the NSIC.  

About the NSIC
The NSIC is a 15-team, 18-sport, NCAA Division II conference with institutions located in Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The NSIC is a model Division II conference that uses high-level athletics competition to develop champions in the classroom and community while empowering student-athletes to be impactful and positive leaders. Formed in 1992 by the merger of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (men's league) and the Northern Sun Conference (women's league), the NSIC has flourished over the past quarter century, maturing into a union of Upper Midwest colleges and universities. The NSIC has won 25 team national championships and crowned 111 individual national champions. For additional information, visit NorthernSun.org.

About NCAA Division II
The NCAA, the national governing body for college athletics, is a volunteer association of more than 1,000 colleges and universities that classify their athletics programs in one of three membership divisions. The 300+ institutions in NCAA Division II support a balanced approach in which student-athletes can earn scholarships based on their athletic ability, pursue their desired academic degree, and participate in all the campus and surrounding community have to offer. Division II student-athletes annually graduate at rates higher than their student body peers, and they have access to the best championships-participant ratio among the NCAA's three divisions. Division II gives student-athletes the unique opportunity to compete in the classroom, on the field, in their career, for their causes, and on their terms. For additional information, visit NCAA.org.