Wayne State junior Quentin Dreyer earned the NSIC Elite 18 Award for men's cross country as he held the highest grade point average with the most credits earned among the 13 men's cross country schools competing at the NSIC Cross Country Championships. Dreyer was presented the award Saturday afternoon during the post championship ceremony at the cross country championships, which were held at McDowell Dam in Bismarck, North Dakota and hosted by the University of Mary.
 
            Dreyer is a junior majoring in skilled and technical science education and holds a 4.00 grade point average. The Manning, Iowa native has competed in all five meets during the 2023 season.  He had a season-best finish of fourth at the Wildcat Classic and recorded a personal best time of 26:11.88 in the 8K at the Dordt Invite where he finished in 11th place.  Dreyer ran a time of 25:57 at the NSIC Championships Saturday to place 45th overall.
 
            It's the second straight year that a Wildcat men's cross country runner has received the award as Wakefield senior Gabe Peitz earned the honor last year at the NSIC Cross Country Championships in Wayne. 
 
            As part of the NSIC 25th Anniversary celebration during the 2016-17 academic year, the NSIC Elite 18 Award was instituted to recognize the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the NSIC Championship level in their sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among their peers. The NSIC Elite 18 award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NSIC's 18 Championships.