Nebraska Wesleyan University junior Kevin Janata has won the inaugural NCAA Elite 88 Award for men’s outdoor track & field at the Division III level.  The announcement was made at the NCAA Division III Track & Field Championships held May 27-29 in Berea, Ohio.

Janata (Howells, Neb.) boasts a cumulative grade point average of 3.82 as a history/social science education major.  He qualified for the NCAA III Track Championships in the 110 hurdles where he became an All-American by placing fourth in the event.  His time of 14.31 that he ran at the championships is tied for the fourth fastest time on the NWU All-time charts.

Janata had the highest GPA among all male competitors that were sophomore or above in academic and athletics standing at the DIII National Meet.  Over 300 athletes were up for the award.

Beginning with the 2009-10 championships season, the NCAA instituted an academic recognition award program, which is entitled the Elite 88.  The award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade point average competing at the finals site for each of the NCAA’s 88 championships.

The Elite 88 award 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 sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his peers.