Josten's Release

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. Among the finalists is Bethel University's Tim Madson (Sr., Redwood Falls, Minn.).

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.




Madson finished the regular season as the second leading overall scorer among MIAC players averaging nearly 19 points per game, and was the top free throw shooter in conference play, making better than 90 percent of his shots. He has earned All-MIAC recognition twice and has also been named the MIAC Preseason Player of the Year two years in a row by the College Sporting News. At the moment, Madson ranks fourth all-time at Bethel in scoring with 1,726 career points.
 
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 College
Scott Morton, SUNY Geneseo                      Hillary Klimowicz, The College of New Jersey
John Noonan, Ursinus College                    Sarah Meisenberg, Franklin & Marshall Coll.
Joel Patch, Susquehanna University          Margo Muhlbauer, Buena Vista University
Kent Raymond, Wheaton College               Megan Scheele, Edgewood College
Jeff Skemp, UW-Platteville                            Claire Sheehan, Illinois Wesleyan University
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.