May 14, 2023

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Cassidy O'Meara earned the NSIC Elite 18 Award for women's outdoor track & field this past weekend while Tyler Hiatt earned the NSIC High Point Performer award. O'Meara and Hiatt were both presented their awards following the NSIC Outdoor Track & Field Championships held in St. Paul, Minnesota this weekend.

O'Meara is a junior majoring in psychology and holds a 4.00 grade point average.  The Moorhead, Minnesota native finished second in the 800m with a time of 2:11.34 to earn All-NSIC honors at the NSIC Outdoor Championships this season. During her career she recorded outdoor bests of 1:00.73 in the 400m, 2:11.50 in the 800m, and 4:34.46 in the 1500m. At the 2022 NSIC Outdoor Championships she placed seventh in the 800m run with a time of 2:16.50.

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.

Hiatt is a sophomore majoring in business administration and accounting at USF. This past weekend Hiatt recorded 26 points throughout three events. He placed first in the shot put with a throw of 17.27 meters to record 10 points. Hiatt picked up eight points with a 53.31 meter toss in the hammer throw and a second place finish. He capped off his weekend with a second place finish in the discus with a throw of 50.66 meters to add his final eight points of the weekend. Throughout his career, he's recorded personal bests of 17.95 meters in the shot put, 55.13 meters in the discus, 53.31 meters in the hammer throw and 18.52 meters in the weight throw.

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