Gunner Schlender (Brillion, Wis./), a (senior) at UW-Whitewater, is the recipient of the Elite 90 award for the 2024 NCAA Division Men's Cross Country Championship.

Schlender, majoring in physical education with certificates in adaptive physical education, health and coaching, currently carries a 4.0 GPA. The Brillion, Wis. native was presented with the award during the men's cross country championship banquet on Friday in Terra Haute, Indiana.

He is a three-time selection to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic Team and received the Elite 90 Award at the 2024 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championship. He is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and been recognized on UW-Whitewater's Dean's List numerous semesters. Schlender is the first Elite 90 recipient in Warhawk cross country history and is the second two-time Elite 90 recipient for UW-Whitewater athletics (Jared Kiesow, 2010 and 2011, football).

Schlender is a three-time All-American, recording finishes of 11th, 26th and 30th at the NCAA Division III Championship. He is a three-time All-Region honoree and four-time All-WIAC First Team performer, as well as being named the WIAC Kwik Trip Newcomer of the Year in 2021. He was tabbed the USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week earlier this season and owns the fourth-fastest 8K time in school history.

Schlender is a member of the Wisconsin Health and Physical Educational organization, as well as UW-Whitewater's Health and P.E. Majors Club and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He has worked as a wellness peer educator and building supervisor on campus. Schlender is student teaching at Lincoln Elementary and Whitewater High School this fall.

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.
Eligible student-athletes are sophomores or above academically who have participated in a sport for at least two years with their school. All ties are broken by the number of credits completed.

For more information on the Elite 90 award winners, log on to https://www.ncaa.com/elite-90.