March 24, 2013
DES MOINES, Iowa - Penn State Nittany Lion wrestler Matt Brown (West Valley City, Utah) is the recipient of the Elite 89 award for the 2013 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championship.
Brown, majoring in Crime, Law and Justice, has near-perfect 3.97 grade point average. He was presented with the award after the championship finals at the 2013 NCAA Wrestling Championships on Saturday, March 23, in Des Moines, Iowa, as Penn State its third straight NCAA team title.
The Nittany Lion sophomore entered the 2013 NCAA Wrestling Championship as the Big Ten Champion at 174 and the No. 2 seed overall. Brown went 4-1 to end the year as National Runner-Up and an All-American. He ended his year with a 29-5 mark.
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.
For more information on the Elite 89 award winners, log on to NCAA.com/elite89.