Illinois Wesleyan senior Lexi Baltes was named as one of 10 women's finalists for the prestigious Jostens Trophy, announced Tuesday, March 4, by members of the Rotary Club of Salem, Va. The Jostens Trophy is awarded to an outstanding NCAA Division III men's and women's basketball player who excels on the floor, in the classroom and in the community.

The club is responsible for the initial review of annual nominations and narrowed the pool to 10 men's and 10 women's finalists. The Salem Rotary Club 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.

Last year, Carissa Verkaik of Calvin College and Colton Hunt from Randolph College took home the trophies.

Baltes (St. Charles, Ill., East HS), who has a 3.89 grade-point average double majoring in English and political science at IWU, was elected to the third team of the 2013-14 Capital One Academic All-America ® Division III women's basketball squad and was one of 10 student-athletes named to the 2014 Allstate Women's Basketball Coaches Association Good Works Teams®, recognizing college players who have made a commitment to improving their communities and the lives of others.

She averaged 14.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game and led the team in assists (110) and steals (73).
She finished her career ranked No. 37 in career scoring (748 points), 27th in rebounds (403) and seventh in assists (280) at IWU while her .808 free throw percentage (185 of 229) is third in IWU career records.
She had the first recorded triple-double in IWU women's history with 14 points, 16 rebounds and an IWU-record 13 assists in an overtime win vs. Howard Payne on Dec. 28.

She is a SAAC member, president of the local chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and member of DRL. Working with her hometown church, Christ Community Church, she helped lead a high school mission trip to Nicaragua this summer and through Compassion International, Baltes also sponsors a child from Nicaragua.

Baltes is a Phi Beta Kappa Fellow, a member of Pi Sigma Alpha honorary and was the winner of the 2012 "Elite 89" award at the NCAA D-III women's final four round when the Titans won the national championship.

In addition to Baltes, the other women finalists for the 2014 Jostens Trophy are:
Lianna Carrero, Albertus Magnus College
Emily DeNoyer, Carroll University
Katelyn Fischer, Marymount University
Becky Hebert, Fredonia State University
Maureen Hirt, Kenyon College
Cydni Matsuoka, Vassar College
Kimberly Takaoka, Chapman University
Jill VanEperen, Ripon College
Marla Willard, Monmouth College (Ill.)

The men's finalists are:
Richie Bonney, Hobart College
Galen Holzhueter, Martin Luther College
Trevor Johnson, Nebraska Wesleyan University
Dan Kornbaum, Augsburg College
Gordon Lyons, SUNY Geneseo
Dustin McConnell, Whitworth University
Tyler Peters, Wheaton College (Ill.)
Ryan Sheehan, Nichols College
Jared Suderley, Hartwick College
David Thompson, Case Western Reserve University

Voters' ballots are due by March 13 with the winning schools expected to be notified by March 14. The awards presentation is scheduled for Thursday, March 20 at the Salem Civic Center in conjunction with the NCAA Division III men's basketball semifinals and championship in Salem, Va., on March 21-22.

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 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 17th year the award has been presented.

Additional information on the award can be found at http://www.odaconline.com/jostens.