DULUTH, Minn – Augustana's Rachel Rairdon was named the 2021 NSIC Elite 18 Award winner for women's outdoor track & field.  Rairdon was presented the award prior to Saturday's competition at the NSIC Indoor Track & Field Championships, which were held at Malosky Stadium in Duluth, Minnesota, and hosted by the University of Minnesota Duluth. Rairdon becomes the seventh student-athlete from Augustana to earn the award since its inception in 2016-17. 
 
Rairdon is a senior majoring in accounting; business administration and finance and holds a 4.00 grade point average. The Fort Collins, Colorado, native finished runner-up in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the NSIC Championships Friday afternoon. Previously this season, Rairdon ran a personal-best time in the steeplechase in a time of 10:41.42 which is under the NCAA Provisional Qualifying time. She also set a PR in the 5K, recording a time of 17:10.62.
 
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 Tiegen Lindner, Ben Kelvington, Leah Seivert, a two-time winner, Hannah Hankinson and Zach Tuschen.