Jostens Trophy finalists announced

Nate Axelrod is one of 10 men's finalists for the Jostens Trophy.
File photo by Larry Radloff, d3photography.com
 

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

Nate Axelrod, Ohio Wesleyan
Marcos Echevarria, Nichols
Brandon Federici, Franklin and Marshall
Aston Francis, Wheaton (Ill.)
Kevin Grow, Carleton
Jay Howard, Catholic
Patrick MacDonald, SUNY-Maritime
Wes McKinney, Hanover
Dalton Myers, York (Pa.)
Andy Orr, Lebanon Valley

Samm Chandler, Averett
Mikaela Eppard, Elmhurst
Alexandra Leslie, Rochester
Camille McPherson, Moravian
Abby Owings, Thomas More
Raquel Pederzani, Johnson and Wales
Kaitlyn Read, New York U.
Ali Rinfrette, Pitt-Bradford
Katie Sommer, Wartburg
Jess Vormelker, Thiel

Last year's winners were Lisa Murphy of Carnegie Mellon University and Harrison Blackledge of Hope College.

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 2018 Jostens Trophy honors.

The trophies will be presented March 15, a day before the men'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
  Winners by conference
  CC 1, CCIW 2, IIAC 1, IND 1, LL 1,
MACC 1, MACF 1, MIAA 1 MWC 2, 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 4, WIAC 2