Coast Guard’s Otey wins Elite 89 award

Coast Guard Academy senior All-American Sarah Jane Otey, was named the recipient of the Elite 89 award for the 2012 NCAA Division III Rowing Championship.

Otey, who graduated from the Coast Guard Academy last Wednesday, had a 3.97 GPA as a Marine and Environmental Sciences major. She was presented with the award during the NCAA Women's Rowing Banquet on Thursday night in West Windsor, N.J.

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.

- Day staff reports