Augustana University Athletics

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Matt Braithwaite is the recipient of the Elite 88 award for men's cross country, the NCAA announced Saturday.  The Elite 88 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA's 88 championships.

Braithwaite, who finished 20th on Saturday and earned All-America honors, carries a 4.0 GPA as a biology major.

The Viking men finished sixth at the NCAA Championship--the highest in school history.

The senior is the first student-athlete in Augustana history to earn the award.