Jostens Trophy finalists announced

Aston Francis takes a 3-pointer from the corner for Wheaton (Ill.) in a file photo by Michael Hudson.
Aston Francis is one of 10 men's finalists for the Jostens Trophy.
Wheaton (Ill.) athletics photo by Mike Hudson
 

The Salem (Va.) Rotary Club announced the 20 finalists for the prestigious Jostens Trophy. The Trophy is awarded annually to one men's and one women's Division III basketball player based on their athletic performance, academic achievements and community service.

The following finalists were selected based on the Salem Rotary Club's review of nominations.

Men's finalists Women's finalists
Ben Boots, UW-Oshkosh Lauren Bondi, Smith 
Austin Coene, Roger Williams Emma Dorshimer, Gettysburg 
Cooper Cook, Nebraska Wesleyan Hillary Hellmann, Case Western Reserve
Robert Duax, UW-Platteville Maya Howard, DePauw 
Nolan Ebel, Augustana  Briana Moore, Bridgewater 
Marcos Echevarria, Nichols  Hannah Neild, Gallaudet 
Cam Fails, Hanover  Victoria Pena, Texas-Dallas
Aston Francis, Wheaton (Ill.) Hannah Spaulding, St. Thomas
Sam Gabbard, UC Santa Cruz Madison Temple, Thomas More
Jordan Jenkins, Willamette Jess Vormelker, Thiel

Last year's winners were Nate Axelrod of Ohio Wesleyan and Kaitlyn Read of NYU.

According to the Club's release, the Jostens Trophy Committee employs a numerical rating to narrow the list of finalists so that the decision can be made on the most objective basis possible. The 20 finalists continue through the review process, with a national selection committee charged with determining the two winners of the 2019 Jostens Trophy honors.

The trophies will be presented March 14, a day before the women's basketball national semifinals are played in Salem, Virginia.

All-time Jostens Trophy winners

Year Men Women
1998 Michael Nogelo, Williams Alicia Moore, Emory
1999 Michael Shantz, Hamilton Kristen Venne, Susquehanna
2000 Korey Coon, Illinois Wesleyan Alia Fischer, Washington U.
2001 David Jannuzzi, Wilkes Alison Grubbs, Lake Forest
2002 Adam Jones, Buena Vista Heather Kile, Swarthmore
2003 Derek Reich, Chicago Whitney Bull, Wilkes
2004 Justin Call, Emory and Henry Kay Mikolajczak, UW-Oshkosh
2005 Jon-David Byers, Lebanon Valley Tara Rohde, Trinity (Texas)
2006 Chris Braier, Lawrence Megan Silva, Randolph-Macon
2007 Ryan Cain, WPI Lisa Winkle, Calvin
2008 Troy Ruths, Washington U. Tarra Richardson, McMurry
2009 Jimmy Bartolotta, MIT Melanie Auguste, Colorado College
2010 Blake Schultz, Williams Julia Hirssig, UW-Stout
2011 Steve Djurickovic, Carthage Elizabeth Sunderhaus, Cedar Crest
2012 Aris Wurtz, Ripon Taylor Simpson, Chicago
2013 Colton Hunt, Randolph Carissa Verkaik, Calvin
2014 Richie Bonney, Hobart Katelyn Fischer, Marymount
2015 George Bugarinovic, Johns Hopkins Jess Rheinheimer, Eastern Mennonite
2016 Trey Bardsley, Nebraska Wesleyan Holly Denfield, Milwaukee Engineering
2017 Harrison Blackledge, Hope  Lisa Murphy, Carnegie Mellon
2018 Nate Axelrod, Ohio Wesleyan Kaitlyn Read, New York University
  Winners by conference
  CC 1, CCIW 2, IIAC 1, IND 1, LL 1,
MACC 1, MACF 1, MIAA 1 MWC 2, NCAC 1,
NESCAC 3, NEWMAC 2, ODAC 2, UAA 2

ASC 1, CAC 1, CC 1, CSAC 1,
MACC 1, MACF 1, MIAA 2, MWC 1,
NACC 1, ODAC 2, SCAC 2, UAA 5, WIAC 2