MANKATO, Minn. – Augustana track & field student-athlete Tiegen Lindner was named the 2021 NSIC Elite 18 Award winner Friday, earning Augustana's sixth award for the prestigious academic honor from the NSIC.
 
Lindner is a senior who owns a 3.99 GPA while majoring in exercise science and fitness management. The native of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is on the NCAA provisional qualifying distance medley relay team at Augustana. The squad has hit the provisional mark on two occasions this year, first at the Sixth Annual Indoor Gorilla Classic in 9:55.65, then at the SDSU Last Chance in 9:54.91. He has also provisionally qualified in the 800m as he ran a time of 1:52.74 in the event at the Ichabod Invite.
 
On Friday, he earned All-NSIC honors as he finished third in the 600m run with a time of 1:22.35. He also placed fourth in the 800m run with a time of 1:56.34.
 
As part of the NSIC 25th Anniversary celebration, 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 his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her 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.
 
Other Elite 18 Award winners from Augustana include Ben Kelvington, Leah Seivert, a two-time winner, Hannah Hankinson and Zach Tuschen.