Barry's Roy Shohat Earns Elite 90 Award For Men's Soccer
Sixth award for the Bucs and second for men's soccer
By: Dennis Jezek | Barry Athletic Communications
SEATTLE, Wash. - Roy Shohat, a sophomore midfielder at Barry University, is the recipient of the Elite 90 award for the 2022 NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championship.
Barry also won the team award for top GPA among the finals participants. Barry swept both awards in 2018 as well, as Stefano Cammarota won the Elite 90 that year. Barry went on to claim the NCAA Division II National Championship, with a 2-1 win over West Chester.
The Elite 90, 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 90 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.
Shohat, majoring in exercise physiology, currently carries a 4.0 GPA. He was presented with the award during the NCAA Division II Sports Festival Opening Ceremonies on Tuesday evening in Seattle.
"It's very nice to be recognized, I really appreciate it," Shohat said. "It means a lot because as a student-athlete you need to sacrifice other things in order to excel. Whatever I do, I try to do my best."
He becomes the sixth winner for the Buccaneers and the second for men's soccer. Daniel Stapff (men's golf) won in 2010 and 2012. Renato Lombardi (men's tennis) won in 2014 and Linda Fritschken (women's tennis) took home the award in 2015.
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.
Buccaneer first-year head coach Petsa Ivanovic also appreciated the recognition for his players. "We focus a lot of our attention on being students as well as athletes," Ivanovic said. "We want to make sure that what they do on the field is how they treat their classroom as well. It's a group effort with so many people at the university helping out. Roy is a very smart young man and definitely deserves that award."
For more information on the Elite 90 award winners, log on to NCAA.com/elite-90.
Editor's note: Shohat is the 25th SSC athlete to win the Elite 90 or its equivalent. He's the first to win the award from the league since former Nova Southeastern's Henrik Berg was named at the men's soccer championship in 2021. Shohat is the fifth men's soccer athlete and the fifth Buccaneer to win the award.