From Case Western Reserve University Athletics

Set to become the first team in school history to compete in the NCAA Division III Men's Tennis Championship Quarterfinals, No. 9 nationally ranked Case Western Reserve University has learned that its senior tri-captain Derek Reinbold (Carmel, Ind./Park Tudor) is the recipient of the prestigious Elite 89 Award.

The first NCAA Elite 89 Award winner in school history, Reinbold graduated this weekend with a cumulative GPA of 4.0. He earned three undergraduate degrees in art history, international studies and political science. Reinbold is currently a Rhodes Scholar candidate and plans to work in politics.

The Elite 89, 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 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.

All GPAs are based on a straight grading scale to ensure consistency among institutions. All ties are broken by the number of credits completed.

Eligible student-athletes are sophomores or above who have participated in their sports for at least two years with their schools. They must be an active member of the team, traveling and competing at the championship.

Reinbold is 16-13 in singles play this season with a majority of his matches in the fourth and fifth positions. In doubles action, Reinbold is 20-9 with seven different partners. For his career, Reinbold is 44-29 in singles and 34-13 in doubles. He scored the winning point in a key victory earlier this season against Kenyon College at the ITA National Division III Men's Tennis Indoor Championship.