Jostens Trophy finalists announced, vote open

 

Postseason awards processes are well underway across the Division III women's and men's basketball landscapes. That includes two major honors as the Rotary Club of Salem, Va., is proud to announce the 22 finalists advancing to the national selection committee to determine who will claim the 2026 Jostens Trophy honors.

The Jostens Trophy honors - one for men's basketball and one for women's basketball - are national awards created by the Rotary Club of Salem and sponsored by Jostens, Inc., to recognize the most outstanding men's and women's Division III basketball players of the year. The awards focus on three major criteria: basketball ability, academic prowess, and service to one's surrounding communities. The Jostens Trophy models the Rotary International motto of "Service Above Self" by recognizing those who truly fit the ideal of a well-rounded Division III student-athlete. The 2026 season marks the 28th time the Jostens Trophy honors will be awarded.

  • Fan vote: Open now! Scroll down.

The following finalists were selected based on the Salem Rotary Club's review of nominations. Last year's award went to Tate Ivanyo of Anderson and Natalie Bruns of NYU.

Women's finalists Men's finalists
Isabella Antonacci, Allegheny Chris Bryant, Hardin-Simmons
Riley Corcoran, Bridgewater (Va.) Brady Burman, Sarah Lawrence
Brianna Fitzgerald, SUNY New Paltz Mason Dopirak, MSOE
Natalie Gricius, Carroll Mason Funk, Illinois Wesleyan
Vanessa Hall, Utica Sam Grieger, UW-La Crosse
Lexy Harris, Washington U. Scott Gyimesi, Tufts
Kaci Kranson, Scranton Chase Morgan, Maryville (Tenn.)
Macy Miller, Ohio Wesleyan Kevin Nowoswiat, Franklin & Marshall
Samaree Perkins, Capital Ben Pearce, Emory
Mary Schleusner, Washington and Lee Jack Plesser, Union
Elyse Warren, Millsaps Soren Richardson, Wheaton (Ill.)

Women's ballot

Men's ballot

 

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
2020 Kena Gilmour, Hamilton Sydney Kopp, DePauw
2021 Not awarded Not awarded
2022 Jack Davidson, Wabash Kenedy Schoonveld, Hope
2023 Tyson Cruickshank, Wheaton (Ill.) Elyce Knudsen, Millikin
2024 Tyler Dearman, Guilford Aleah Grundahl, UW-Whitewater
2025 Tate Ivanyo, Anderson Natalie Bruns, NYU
  Winners by conference
  CC 1, CCIW 4, IIAC 1, IND 1, HCAC 1, LL 1,
MACC 1, MACF 1, MIAA 1 MWC 2, NCAC 2,
NESCAC 4, NEWMAC 2, ODAC 3, UAA 2

ASC 1, CAC 1, CC 1, CCIW 1, CSAC 1,
MACC 1, MACF 1, MIAA 3, MWC 1,
NACC 1, NCAC 1, ODAC 2, PAC 1, SCAC 2, UAA 6, WIAC 3