BALTIMORE - Mercyhurst College men's lacrosse standout Ian Wild has been named the 2011 recipient of the NCAA Elite 88 Award, it was announced Friday evening at the Association's Champions Banquet at M&T Bank Stadium.

The Elite 88, an award founded by the NCAA, 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. The Elite 88 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA's championships.

Wild, a business finance major with a 3.905 grade point average, has helped the Lakers to a 13-2 record and their second trip to the national championship game by scoring 14 goals and totaling 16 points.

By winning the award, Wild becomes the second Mercyhurst student-athlete in the past 24 hours to capture the honor. Senior Bethany Brun of the women's rowing team was named the recipient of the award for the second straight year Thursday night at the NCAA Champions Banquet in Sacramento, Calif.