SALEM, Va.-- Senior Katie Sommer (Cedar Rapids) has been named one of 10 women finalists for the Jostens Trophy, the Rotary Club of Salem (Va.) announced today.

The Jostens Trophy is awarded to the outstanding NCAA Division III men's and women's basketball players who excel on the court, in the classroom, and in the community. This season marks the 21st presentation of the awards, with the inaugural trophies bestowed in 1998.

The Rotary Club of Salem is responsible for the initial review of nominations and narrowed the collection of candidates over the past two weeks. The Club's Jostens Trophy Committee employs a numerical rating system in determining the lists of finalists. The system ensures an objective process thru the first round of vetting. The 20 finalists continue thru the review process, with a national selection committee of 30 or more individuals charged with determining the two winners of the 2018 Jostens Trophy honors.

Ballots from the national selection committee are due by March 8 with the winning schools expected to be notified by March 9. The awards presentation is scheduled for Thursday, March 15 at the Salem Civic Center in conjunction with the NCAA Division III men's basketball semifinals and championship in Salem, Va., on March 16-17.

The Jostens Trophy is a national award created by the Rotary Club of Salem to honor the most outstanding men's and women's NCAA 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 International motto of "Service Above Self" by recognizing those who truly fit the ideal of the well-rounded NCAA Division III student-athlete. This year's class marks the 21st year the awards have been presented.

MEN'S FINALISTS			WOMEN'S FINALISTS
Nate Axelrod, Ohio Wesleyan University			Samm Chandler, Averett University
Marcos Echevarria, Nichols College			Mikaela Eppard, Elmhurst College
Brandon Federici, Franklin & Marshall College			Alexandra Leslie, University of Rochester
Aston Francis, Wheaton College (Ill.)			Camille McPherson, Moravian College
Kevin Grow, Carleton College			Abby Owings, Thomas More College
Jay Howard, Catholic University of America			Raquel Pederzani, Johnson & Wales University (R.I.)
Patrick MacDonald, Maritime College (N.Y.)			Kaitlyn Read, New York University
Wes McKinney, Hanover College			Ali Rinfrette, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
Dalton Myers, York College (Pa.)			Katie Sommer, Wartburg College
Andy Orr, Lebanon Valley College			Jess Vormelker, Thiel College