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Nebraska track and field sophomore high jumper Ela Velepec was named the recipient of the NCAA Division I Women's Track and Field Elite Scholar-Athlete Award on Friday.
A native of Celje, Slovenia, Velepec carries a 4.0 GPA majoring in biological sciences. Velepec is one of 10 Huskers competing at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Ark., this weekend.
Velepec is the 16th all-time Husker honoree and the 10th Nebraska track and field recipient of the Elite Scholar-Athlete Award (formerly Elite 90 Award). The last was Hillevi Carlsson at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Championships.
The Elite Scholar-Athlete Award is founded by the NCAA and 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 Scholar-Athlete Award 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.
Eligible student-athletes are sophomores or above academically who have participated in a sport for at least two years with their school. All ties are broken by the number of credits completed.
Velepec earned the bronze medal in the high jump at the Big Ten Indoor Championships on Feb. 28. She won five event titles during the indoor season and her personal-best of 6-1 1/4 (1.86m) is tied for sixth in school history.
Nebraska's Elite Scholar-Athlete Award History
Ela Velepec, Women's Indoor Track and Field, 2025-26
Hillevi Carlsson, Women's Outdoor Track and Field, 2023-24
Anni Evans, Volleyball, 2021-2022
Danielle Breen, Women's Gymnastics, 2017-18
Sydney Townsend, Volleyball, 2017-18
Drew Wiseman, Men's Outdoor Track and Field, 2016-17
Sydney Townsend, Volleyball, 2016-17
Will Lohman, Men's Outdoor Track and Field, 2014-15
Drew Wiseman, Men's Indoor Track and Field, 2014-15
Ethan Lottman, Men's Gymnastics, 2014-15
Anne Martin, Women's Outdoor Track and Field, 2013-14
John Welk, Men's Outdoor Track and Field, 2013-14
Anne Martin, Women's Outdoor Track and Field, 2012-13
John Welk, Men's Outdoor Track and Field, 2012-13
Bjorn Barrefors, Men's Indoor Track and Field, 2009-10
Ryann McGough, Mixed Rifle, 2009-10