Texas Tech University Athletics
Speight Receives Prestigious NCAA Elite 89 Award
June 13, 2015 | Track and Field
Montene Speight is the first Texas Tech track & field athlete to win the NCAA Elite 89 Award.
EUGENE, Ore. -- Texas Tech sprinter Montene Speight became the first Texas Tech track & field athlete in history to receive the prestigious NCAA Elite 89 Award, at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, in Eugene, Ore., on Saturday.
The Elite 89, an award founded by the NCAA in 2009, 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.
"To receive this award is truly an honor," Speight said. "I have been feeling so blessed lately with all of the recognition for being both a student and an athlete. With track, there's only one winner, but in school everyone can get an "A" or get a 4.0. I'm in control of my success in that department. Like I've said before, I would like to go to law school, and I can't do that with basic grades or a basic resume. I have to do things that set me apart from other students."
The Elite 89 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA's 89 championships.
I've heard this award is like the Bowerman of academics for student-athletes, so I'm happy that a Red Raider is bringing it home," Speight said. "With the emphasis that Coach Kittley puts on academics, his program deserves to be recognized as an academically accomplished program.
Speight, who took home second team All-American honors in the 400 meter dash on Thursday, has already been named to a Capital One Academic All-District Team this season, and has a shot to be named an Academic All-American.
Tech's Student Athlete of the Month for June has carried a cumulative 4.0 GPA during her time at Tech, majoring in political science. The senior from St. Louis, Mo., has five All-Big 12 honors to her credit in 2015, and was already named to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team.
Players Mentioned
