Learn more about the Elite 90 Award

BIRMINGHAM, AL – Graduate Student Brenna Johnson added some impressive hardware to her bag on Friday, earning the prestigious Elite 90 award at the 2023 NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships. The 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 or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. In winning the Elite 90 Award, Johnson had the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships. An Elite 90 award winner is selected at each of the NCAA's 90 championships throughout the year.

To be eligible for the Elite 90 Award, nominees have to be at least a sophomore academically and competing at the NCAA Championships. The NCAA academic criteria is strictly for undergraduate GPA, but graduate students are eligible for the award.

Johnson, a fifth-year physical therapy major, compiled a perfect 4.0 undergraduate GPA over 125 credits of coursework at Nazareth.

The Cortland, NY native becomes the first-ever Nazareth athlete to win the award. The star in the classroom is equally as impressive on the track, having racked up just about every award in the Empire 8 conference. She is a 3-time Empire 8 Field  Athlete of the Year (2 Indoor, 1 outdoor) and 1-time Empire 8 Indoor Track Athlete of the Year. She most recently helped the Golden Flyers earn their first-ever Empire 8 Indoor Track and Field Championship in 2023.

During her tenure on the track and field squad, she has won three individual championships at the Empire 8 Outdoor meet (100, 200, long jump) and was part of the winning 4 x 400-meter relay team in 2021. For the indoor season, Johnson is a 9-time individual champion (3-time 60-meter, 2-time long jump, 2-time 400-meter, high jump, and 200-meter). She is also a two-time Empire 8 champion as part of the 4 x 400-meter relay team.

Said head track and field coach, James Goss, "Brenna is the epitome of a student-athlete. She has carried a 4.0 GPA through five years of our Doctor of Physical Therapy program and has achieved unparalleled success on the track. She is one of the hardest workers I've ever coached and a tremendous person. Brenna is a true leader and so deserving of this honor. I could not be happier for her to be recognized for all of her achievements with the Elite 90 Award."

One of the most decorated athletes in Nazareth history, Johnson currently holds three school records. For indoor, she is the school record holder in the 60-meter dash, 200-meters, and a member of the sprint medley relay, while outdoor she holds the record in the 100-meter dash.