METAMORA, Ill. - Illinois Wesleyan University senior Emily Gastrau is the 2026 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Women’s Golf Elite 26 Award winner, the conference announced Saturday at the conclusion of the 2026 CCIW Women’s Golf Championship.
Gastrau earned the prestigious academic honor after posting a perfect 4.00 GPA while studying business. On the course, the Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, native has played a crucial role in the Titans’ success this season. Gastrau finished fifth at the CCIW Women’s Golf Championship, totaling a score of 12-over-par 225. Her best round of the championship was a 1-over-par 72 in Round 2 on Friday. Behind her contributions, the Titans secured their 21st women’s golf championship and fourth straight title.
The CCIW’s Elite 26 Award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA competing at the championship of their respective sport. All GPAs are based on a straight-grading scale to ensure consistency among nominees. All ties are broken by the total number of credit hours completed through the most recently concluded semester.
To be eligible for the award, student-athletes must be sophomores or above and have participated in their sport at their institution for at least two years. They must also be active members of their teams and travel to and compete at the CCIW championship event or, for bracketed tournaments, be on one of the final two teams while also earning All-CCIW honors.
Game One | Shop Official CCIW Women’s Golf Championship Gear
Game One is the official merchandise provider of the CCIW. As one of the largest and fastest-growing sports equipment and apparel suppliers in the country. CCIW Women’s Golf fans can shop championship-branded apparel and gear through the CCIW’s official Game One store. Click here to be taken directly to the Official CCIW Women’s Golf Championship Store!
CCIW Championship Central
Championship Central provides direct access to each CCIW sport's championship page, where sport-specific championship information can be found. Information will be updated throughout the year and is subject to change. Visit the Women’s Golf championship page for the most up-to-date event information.
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The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) was founded in 1946 and currently services nine member institutions including Augustana College (Rock Island, Ill.), Carroll University (Waukesha, Wis.), Carthage College (Kenosha, Wis.), Elmhurst University (Elmhurst, Ill.), Illinois Wesleyan University (Bloomington, Ill.), Millikin University (Decatur, Ill.), North Central College (Naperville, Ill.), North Park University (Chicago, Ill.) and Wheaton College (Wheaton, Ill.).