Beckwith receives Elite 88 award

The National College Athletic Association (NCAA) has announced Olivet College junior Kellen Beckwith (Farmington Hills/North Farmington) is the recipient of the Elite 88 for Division III men's swimming and diving.

The Elite 88, 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 88 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade point average (GPA) participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA's 88 championships.

Beckwith carries a perfect 4.0 GPA in mathematics. He is competing this week at the NCAA Division III National Swimming and Diving Championships at the University of Minnesota. He will swim in the 50 freestyle today, 100 backstroke Friday and 200 backstroke Saturday. Last year, Beckwith was the first male student-athlete in school history to earn All-American honors with an eighth-place finish in the 100 backstroke.

"I am still in shock," said Beckwith. "Last night at the championships dinner when they announced my name as the recipient, I was speechless. I could not believe I was the recipient of such a prestigious award. I feel all of my hard work in the classroom has paid off."