UW-Whitewater's Ellie Johnson (Johnsburg, Ill./Johnsburg) received the NCAA Elite 90 Award for women's golf at last week's championship. The Elite 90 Award is the top academic honor awarded by the NCAA in each sport. 

The NCAA's Elite 90 Award honors the exceptional achievements of student-athletes. The prestigious accolade is give to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade point average competing at the finals site for each of the NCAA's 90 championships. Johnson is the first golfer representing the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference to earn the honor. 

"Ellie has been the true essence of a Warhawk student-athlete," said Coach Andrea Wieland. "She is a true competitor and works hard in her sport and maybe even harder in the classroom. It's been an honor to coach Ellie for the last four years."

Johnson, a senior majoring in biology (pre-biomedical professions) with a minor in environmental science, boasts a 4.00 grade point average. A College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honoree last season, Johnson was the recipient of the WIAC Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete Award for women's golf this season. She is three-time Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) All-American Scholar Athlete, three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll, a UW-Whitewater Chancellor's Scholar and has been recognized on the Dean's List every semester. 

A three-time All-WIAC selection and two-time All-Region pick, Johnson helped lead the Warhawks to four conference titles and four NCAA Division III Championship appearances over her career. She holds the program records for the lowest 18-hole score and lowest 36-hole score. 

In addition to her academic prowess and success on the course, Johnson is an active member of the campus community. She is a member of UW-Whitewater's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, the University Honors Program and the National Tri-Beta Biological Honor Society. She has also volunteered at Mainstay Therapeutic Farm.