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BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Gustavus men’s golfer Blake Forrest (Jr., Maple Grove, Minn.) has been named the MIAC Elite 22 recipient for men’s golf, the conference announced on Wednesday. Forrest captured this award by best embodying what it means to be a “student-athlete” in the sport of golf in the conference.
The MIAC Elite 22 Award recognizes the true essence of the term “student-athlete” by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the conference championship level in their sport while also achieving the highest academic standard among their peers. Modeled after the NCAA Elite Scholar-Athlete Award (formerly Elite 90), the MIAC Elite 22 Award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest grade-point average (GPA) in each sport who meets similarly high, sport-specific athletic requirements.
The accolade in golf is presented to the individual with the highest GPA among the top 10 individual finishers at the MIAC Championships. Each winner must be a junior or senior and in at least their second full academic year at their current institution.
On the course this season, Forrest represented the Gusties at the highest level, competing in every event of the fall. To qualify for the MIAC Elite 22 award, Forrest put together a stellar three-day score at the MIAC Championships to earn himself sixth place and push the team to a second place finish. On day one, Forrest shot a 78 that was highlighted by six-par, 37 on the front nine. On day two, Forrest lowered his score by five strokes, shooting a 73 which included a bogey-free 34 on the front nine. On day three, Forrest shot his lowest nine-hole score of the year, shooting a six-under 30. He finished the event at a +8 score over the three rounds.
Off the course, Forrest is majoring in Financial Economics and maintains a 3.86 GPA. The Maple Grove native is the first recipient of the MIAC Elite 22 Award in Gustavus men’s golf history in its 13-year existence.
