Colorado College's Auguste named Jostens Trophy Finalist

Colorado College's Auguste named Jostens Trophy Finalist

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:

Mens' 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 College
Scott Morton, SUNY Geneseo     Hillary Klimowicz, The College of New Jersey
John Noonan, Ursinus College   Sarah Meisenberg, Franklin & Marshall College
Joel Patch, Susquehanna University   Margo Muhlbauer, Buena Vista University
Kent Raymond, Wheaton College   Megan Scheele, Edgewood College
Jeff Skemp, UW-Plateville   Claire Sheehan, Illinois Wesleyan University
Tony Thrasher, Hamline University   Keli Ward, York College

In the 12-year history of the award, the SCAC has had 10 finalists on the women's side and three on the men's side. Tara Rohde of Trinity University won the award in 2005.

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/jostens.htm