MINOT, N.D. - Concordia-St. Paul senior Matthew Helser earned the NSIC Elite 18 Award for men's cross country as he held the highest grade point average with the most credits earned among the 13 men's cross country schools competing at the NSIC Cross Country Championships. Helser was presented the award during the post-championship ceremony at the cross-country championships, which were held at Souris Valley Golf Course in Minot, North Dakota; hosted by Minot State University.
Helser becomes the ninth different Golden Bear to win the award, and it's the 11th time overall CSP has had an athlete earn the honor. He becomes the first Concordia men's cross-country runner to receive the award. CSP continues its streak of having an NSIC Elite 18 winner every year since 2017-18.
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.
Helser is a senior majoring in coaching & athletic administration and holds a 4.00 grade point average. The Big Lake, Minnesota native placed 31st at the 2023 NSIC Championships with a time of 25:40.6 which was the sixth fastest race by a CSP runner at the NSIC Championships.
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.
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CSP NSIC ELITE 18 AWARD WINNERS
2024-25
Matthew Helser, Cross Country
2023-24
Jalyn Shaw, Basketball
2022-23
Kennedy Brady, Volleyball
Megan Gamble, Basketball
2021-22
Jena Berkland, Soccer
2020-21
Kara Lindberg, Cross Country
Rachel Westemeier, Indoor Track & Field
2019-20
Jena Berkland, Soccer
Cole Oslin, Outdoor Track & Field
2018-19
Kara Lindberg, Indoor Track & Field
2017-18
Adam Hildebrandt, Baseball
