Jostens Trophy finalists announced

Hannah Frazier and Spencer Cook are among the finalists for the Jostens Trophy.
 

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 College, Whitworth Kate Balcom, Grove City
Spencer Cook, Stevens Shelby Boyle, Transylvania
Kena Gilmour, Hamilton Erica DeCandido, Tufts
Kent Hanson, Carleton Hannah Frazier, Wheaton (Ill.)
Michael Jefferson, Transylvania Maddie Hasson, Bowdoin
Conor Riordan, Simpson Hellee Hoeppner, UW-Eau Claire
Nate Schimonitz, Nebraska Wesleyan Sydney Kopp, DePauw
Noah Valencia, Gallaudet Paige Matijasich, Kenyon
Tim Wendel, Crown Alexis Nall, Hanover
Tanner Youngberg, Northwestern (Minn.) Kelly Williams, Randolph-Macon

Last year's winners were Aston Francis of Wheaton (Ill.) and Madison Temple of Thomas More.

According to the Rotary 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 2020 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
2019 Aston Francis, Wheaton (Ill.) Madison Temple, Thomas More
  Winners by conference
  CC 1, CCIW 3, 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, PAC 1, SCAC 2, UAA 5, WIAC 2