University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagle Baseball player, Ben Thoma, was named the 2021 NSIC Elite 18 Award winner for baseball. Thoma was presented the award prior to the Golden Eagles game against Minnesota State in the NSIC Baseball Tournament, which is taking place Wednesday-Friday at the Karras Park at Ronken Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Thoma is the first Golden Eagle to earn the NSIC Elite 18 Award since its inception in 2016-17.
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.
Thoma is a senior majoring in management and holds a 4.00 grade point average. The Clearbrook native, who attended Bagley High School, has played in four games, starting in three, for the Golden Eagles this season. The catcher drew a pair of walks in ten plate appearances. In 2020, he hit .342 in 12 starts with 13 appearances. He posted a 1.000 OPS, scored eight runs, had two doubles, two home runs, seven RBI, and six walks.
