SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Mercyhurst College junior rower Bethany Brun of the nation's second-ranked varsity eight is the Division II rowing recipient of the NCAA Elite 88 Award, an honor given to the student-athlete with the highest grade point average participating at an NCAA Championship event. 

Brun received the award Thursday evening at the NCAA Rowing Championships Banquet, held at the Sacramento State University Student Union. 

Brun has a 3.93 grade point average and is currently pursuing a double major in religious studies and sociology at Mercyhurst. 

Appearing in her second consecutive national championship as part of the Lakers' varsity eight, Brun has helped guide Mercyhurst to gold medals in four out five races this spring, including a second consecutive gold at the prestigious Dad Vail Regatta. 

The Lakers return to action on Friday, May 28 when they prepare for the first two heats of the 2010 NCAA Rowing Championships, beginning at 11 a.m. PST (2 p.m. EST.).  The Lakers are seeded second and will face Florida Tech and Seattle Pacific in their heat.

Brun is the second Mercyhurst athlete this season to earn an Elite 88 Award. Junior forward Vicki Bendus of the women's ice hockey received the award at the NCAA Women's Frozen Four Champions Banquet. She owns a 3.937 grade point average and is currently pursuing a major in biology / pre-medicine at Mercyhurst College.