Monday, May 20, 2019
by Central Oklahoma Athletic Communication

INDIANAPOLIS – The University of Central Oklahoma rowing team's Bailee Thomas was awarded the NCAA Elite 90 Thursday ahead of the NCAA National Championships.
 
Thomas is a senior Psychology major from Wagoner, Okla. and two-year member of the No. 1-ranked Broncho rowing program. She spent her first two years on campus as a member of the UCO track & field team.
 
Thomas has a 4.0 cumulative grade point average – the highest GPA of any student-athlete at the NCAA Rowing national championships.
 
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.
 
It's the third consecutive year for the Bronchos to take the Elite 90 award in rowing. Trista  Cripe won the award in both 2017 and 2018.
 
Central Oklahoma has the top-rated Varsity 8+ boat and the top-rated Varsity 4+ boat in the country and is set to showcase its strength at the national championships in Indianapolis beginning Friday morning. UCO is the defending national champ after taking the crown last season.