Dudley, MA … Junior Meredith Jeffries (Washington, NJ/Warren Hills) from The College of New Jersey was the recipient of the Elite 89 Award for the 2011 NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship.
           
Jeffries, majoring in deaf education and English, currently carries a 3.875 grade-point-average. She was presented with the award on Friday evening at the annual field hockey championship banquet in Dudley, MA.
 
“Very surprised,” noted Jeffries after the banquet. “Even when they were reading off my major and grade-point-average, I still couldn't believe it until they said my name and I was totally blown away.”
 
She is also the student-athlete from The College of New Jersey to win the award.
 
The Elite 89, 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 89 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.
 
TCNJ (22-2) will play in the national semifinal against Ursinus College on Saturday, November 19 at 2 p.m. Jeffries is a key defender for the Lions has played in 22 games this season with 21 of them being starts.
 
For more information on the Elite 88 award winners, log on to NCAA.com/elite89.