Top Athletes in NCAA Division III Vie for Honors
Contact: Brad Bankston (brad@odaconline.com)
Contact: J.J. Nekoloff (jnekoloff@odaconline.com)
SALEM, Va. --- The top 10 finalists for the
prestigious Jostens Trophy were announced today by members of the
Rotary Club of Salem, Va. The club is responsible for the initial
review of annual nominations and narrowed the pool to 10 men and 10
women finalists.
The list found below will be forwarded to the 35-person national
selection committee, which will complete the selection process by
picking the two Jostens Trophy winners.
The Finalists are as follows:
| Men's Finalists | Women's Finalists |
| Jimmy Bartolotta, MIT | Melanie Auguste, Colorado College |
| Jose Guitian, Lasell College | LeighAnn Burke, DeSales University |
| Rashawn Johnson, Wesley College | Melissa Gorski, Monmouth College |
| Tim Madson, Bethel University | Amanda Hiltunen, Randolph-Macon |
| Scott Morton, SUNY Geneseo | Hillary Klimowicz, TCNJ |
| John Noonan, Ursinus College | Sarah Meisenberg, Franklin & Marsh. |
| Joel Patch, Susquehanna University | Margo Muhlbauer, Buena Vista Univ. |
| Kent Raymond, Wheaton College | Megan Scheele, Edgewood College |
| Jeff Skemp, UW-Platteville | Claire Sheehan, Illinois Wesleyan U. |
| Tony Thrasher, Hamline University | Keli Ward, York College |
Final ballots are due no later than March 6 with the winning
schools notified on March 9. The awards presentation is scheduled
for Thursday, March 19 at the Salem Civic Center in conjunction
with the Men's Division III Championship being hosted in Salem,
Va., on March 20-21.
The Jostens Trophy is a national award created by the Rotary Club
of Salem, Va., to honor the most outstanding men's and women's
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 motto of "Service
above Self" by recognizing those who truly fit the ideal of the
well-rounded Division III student-athlete. This year's class marks
the 12th year the award has been presented.
Additional information on the award can be found at: http://www.odaconline.com/jostens/index.