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BLACKSBURG, Va. – Senior pole vaulter Kelly Phillips was presented with the NCAA’s Elite 88 Award this past Thursday, at a banquet during the NCAA Track and Field Championships in College Station, Texas.

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 88 championships.

Eligible student-athletes are sophomores or above who have participated in their sport for at least two years with their school. They must be an active member of the team, traveling and a designated member of the squad size at the championship. All ties are broken by the number of credits completed.

After redshirting the 2007 season, Phillips has earned ACC All-Academic honors every season since, as well as three VT Scholar Athlete of the Year honors. She has also been named to the NCAA All-Academic women’s track and field team three times. She currently serves as the co-president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, volunteering for numerous charities, including Soles 4 Souls with the track team. This season, she was one of three Tech student-athletes to earn the Weaver-James-Corrigan Award, a graduate scholarship given annually to three student-athletes in each ACC institution.

In the pole vault this season, Phillips earned her second career ACC Championship in the pole vault and set a new school record in the event at the VT Elite Meet (14-1.25, 4.30m). Her school record-setting performance earned her a trip to the NCAA Championships, where she placed ninth (13-5.25, 4.10m).

For a full list of Elite 88 Award winners, go to NCAA.com/Elite88

For updates on Virginia Tech track & field, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_Track).