SALEM, Va. --- The 2019 Jostens Trophy timeline reached a benchmark in its annual process with the announcement of the finalists by the members of the Rotary Club of Salem (Va.) on Tuesday. Twenty student-athletes -- 10 men and 10 women -- remain in the running for this season's honors from a stellar pool of nominees representing all eight regions of Division III men's and women's basketball.
The Jostens Trophy is awarded to the outstanding NCAA Division III men’s and women’s basketball players who excel on the court, in the classroom, and in the community. This season marks the 22nd presentation of the awards, with the inaugural trophies bestowed in 1998.
The Rotary Club of Salem is responsible for the initial review of nominations and narrowed the collection of candidates over the past two weeks. The Club's Jostens Trophy Committee employs a numerical rating system in determining the lists of finalists. The system ensures an objective process thru the first round of vetting. The 20 finalists continue thru the review process, with a national selection committee of 30 or more individuals charged with determining the two winners of the 2019 Jostens Trophy honors.
Listed below are the finalists for the 2019 Jostens Trophy:
| MEN'S FINALISTS | WOMEN'S FINALISTS | |||
| Ben Boots | University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh | Lauren Bondi | Smith College | |||
| Austin Coene | Roger Williams University | Emma Dorshimer | Gettysburg College | |||
| Cooper Cook | Nebraska Wesleyan University | Hillary Hellmann | Case Western Reserve University | |||
| Robert Duax | University of Wisconsin-Platteville | Maya Howard | DePauw University | |||
| Nolan Ebel | Augustana College | Briana Moore | Bridgewater College | |||
| Marcos Echevarria | Nichols College | Hannah Neild | Gallaudet University | |||
| Cam Fails | Hanover College | Victoria Pena | University of Texas at Dallas | |||
| Aston Francis | Wheaton College (Ill.) | Hannah Spaulding | University of St. Thomas | |||
| Sam Gabbard | UC-Santa Cruz | Madison Temple | Thomas More College | |||
| Jordan Jenkins | Willamette University | Jess Vormelker | Thiel College | |||
Ballots from the national selection committee are due by March 7 with the winning schools expected to be notified by March 8. The awards presentation is scheduled for Thursday, March 14 in conjunction with the NCAA Division III women's basketball semifinals and championship in Salem, Va., on March 15-16.
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The Jostens Trophy is a national award created by the Rotary Club of Salem to honor the most outstanding men's and women's NCAA Division III basketball players of the year. The award takes into account three vital parts: basketball ability, academic prowess, and community service. The trophy models the Rotary International motto of "Service Above Self" by recognizing those who truly fit the ideal of the well-rounded NCAA Division III student-athlete. This year's class marks the 22nd year the awards have been presented.
Additional information on the award can be found at www.odaconline.com/jostens