TURLOCK, Calif. - Angelo State hurdler Brian Holik has had a nearly perfect career and as a result, he was named the recipient of the Elite 88 award for the 2011 NCAA Division II Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship Wednesday evening.

On the track, he's a five-time All-American with a chance to earn two more All-America honors in the 400-meter hurdles and 4x400-meter relay this weekend at the national meet. Earning a certificate in each of his four years would be an impressive feat, but perfection seems to come easy for Holik, who has just one B on his academic transcript - a course he took while still in high school.

Holik, who graduated from ASU earlier this month with an exercise science degree, finished his undergraduate career with a 3.978 GPA. The Wall, Texas, native started the graduate program in physical therapy at ASU Monday and had his head buried in a text book for much of the team's 14-hour trip to Turlock, Calif. Holik was presented with the Elite 88 award during the 2011 Outdoor Track and Field Championship Banquet on Wednesday night at Cal-State Stanislaus.

"I can't say enough good things about him," Angelo State head coach James Reid said. "I hope he can finish (his career) off the way we want to finish it off over the next three days by getting on the awards stand a couple of different times. I think its a neat award - to be in the top 88 in the country out of all sports and all championships - it's pretty special."

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 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.

For more information on the Elite 88 award winners, log on to NCAA.com/elite88.

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