ABERDEEN, S.D. -  David Ecker of the University of Sioux Falls Track and Field squad has been named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Elite 18 Award recipient for men's outdoor track & field. Ecker was presented the award following the NSIC Outdoor Track & Field Championships, which concluded Saturday. 

 

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 his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her 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.

"We are very proud of David Ecker for his leadership and commitment to our track and field and cross country programs," said USF Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Doug Petersen. "He has performed at a high level on the track while being a leader and high achiever in the classroom as well as committing to the culture of service at USF. He is an outstanding person," he said.

Ecker is the fifth USF student-athlete to be named the NSIC Elite 18 honoree including Krista Goerger, volleyball, 2020-21; Jacey Huinker, women's basketball, 2017-18; Austin Schaffer, football, 2016-17; and Evan Hagen, track and field, 2016-17.

An 11-time Academic All-NSIC honoree, Ecker was named to the CoSIDA Academic All District VII Team in 2021. Ecker, who served as President of the USF SAAC, set the school record in the 3,000 steeplechase at 9:13.13 in 2021-22.  In 2020-21 NSIC Outdoor Meet, he was third in the 3,000 steeplechase and was a member of the 2018 NSIC Cross Country championship squad as well as being part of the third place Cross Country Team in 2019 at the NSIC Championships.

A senior in biology with a 3.97 grade point average, the Eau Claire, Wisc., native was a member of five teams that have finished top-six in track and field or cross country. In addition, Ecker has 19 top-five finishes (individual or relay) and six titles with an All-NSIC honor in cross country in 2021.  He placed seventh in the 3,000 meter steeplechase on Friday at the NSIC Championships.  

The NSIC is a 16-team, 18-sport, NCAA Division II conference with institutions located in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The NSIC is a model Division II conference that uses high-level athletics competition to develop champions in the classroom and community while empowering student-athletes to be impactful and positive leaders.