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PARKLAND, Wash. - Sydney Otey, a junior at Pacific Lutheran, is the recipient of the Elite 90 award for the 2016 NCAA Division III Women's Rowing Championship.

Otey, a double major in Sociology and Hispanic Studies, currently carries a 4.0 GPA.  She has hopes of becoming an educator after graduation.  Otey was presented the award during the rowing championship banquet on Thursday afternoon in Sacramento, California.  This is the first Elite 90 for a Pacific Lutheran student-athlete. 

"Rowing has been a big part of my PLU experience, but I have never felt the need to choose between academics and athletics," said Otey.  "Crew has allowed me to be part of this amazing team while also being able to pursue many of the academic and service opportunities that are available. I'm really lucky to attend a school where I feel fully supported to excel in both."

The Elite 90, an award founded by the NCAA, 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 or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The Elite 90 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA's championships.

Eligible student-athletes are sophomores or above who have participated in their sport for at least two years with their school. They must be an active member of the team, traveling and a designated member of the squad size at the championship. All ties are broken by the number of credits completed.

For more information on the Elite 90 award winners, log on to NCAA.com/elite-90.

The NCAA Rowing Regatta starts Friday, May 28 on Lake Natoma in Gold River, California.  The Lutes will race Friday in the morning heats starting at 8:12 a.m.  The Petite and Grand Final races will take place on Saturday at 11 a.m, with the awards ceremony set to begin approximately at 12:15 p.m.

The entire championship can be watched online at http://www.ncaa.com/liveschedule.

For results and heat sheets, visit http://www.ncaa.com/sports/rowing/d3 or follow PLU Athletics online for updates.