STANFORD, Calif. - Sophomore Sophie Wallace was honored by the NCAA as this year's women's water polo Elite 90 award winner on Thursday afternoon.
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.
Wallace holds a perfect 4.00 GPA and is set to declare a major of Science, Technology & Society following the conclusion of her sophomore year. She becomes Stanford's 23rd winner of the award across all sports since it was instituted prior to the 2009-10 season and third in program history (Monica Coughlan - 2010, 2011).
A defender from Newport Beach, Calif., Wallace has played in all 17 matches for the Cardinal this season, scoring 12 goals, including a season-high two against San Diego State in March. Stanford is currently ranked No. 2 in the nation and enters the NCAA Championships on Friday, May 14 against Fresno State. The Cardinal has advanced to 10 straight championship games, winning six titles in that span.