BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference has recognized Gabe Steinwand (Jr., Moorhead, Minn.) and Katie Aney (Jr., Rochester, Minn.) as the recipients of the 2017 MIAC Men’s and Women’s Tennis Elite 22 Awards.
The MIAC Elite 22 Award recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the conference championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. Modeled after the NCAA Elite 90 Award, the MIAC Elite 22 Award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest grade point average (GPA) in each sport who meet similarly high, sport-specific athletic requirements.
In all sports with MIAC team postseason tournaments or championships, including softball, baseball and tennis, the MIAC Elite 22 Award is presented to the individual with the highest GPA on the active roster at the MIAC Playoff championship contest. In all sports, the winner must be a sophomore, junior or senior and in at least his or her second season of competition with their current team.
Steinwand and Aney each combined their performance off the courts along with helping guide their respective squads to excellent seasons to win the prestigious Elite 22 Award.
A chemistry major, Steinwand has a 3.914 GPA and owns a singles record of 13-10 and went unbeaten during conference play at 3-0. He also owns a 12-5 doubles mark on the season.
Aney boasts a 4.00 GPA majoring in biochemistry and mathematics and was a key member of the 2017 MIAC playoff champion Gustavus women’s tennis team. Aney earned MIAC All-Conference honors after posting a perfect 10-0 singles record in league play (22-3 overall) and 9-0 mark in doubles (21-5 overall).