SALEM, Va. - Senior
Mary Schleusner of the third-ranked Washington and Lee University women's basketball was named one of 11 finalists nationally for the 2026 Jostens Trophy, the Rotary Club of Salem announced on Thursday afternoon.
The Jostens Trophy 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. The 22 finalists will now be reviewed by the Jostens Trophy National Selection Committee. The 30-person committee is composed of men and women from across the country. The committee features current and former athletic administrators and head coaches, past Jostens Trophy recipients, and select members of the Division III media.
Schleusner is the first W&L women's basketball player and the second overall to be named a finalist for the prestigious award, joining Greg Bienemann in 2008. Schleusner picked up her fourth First Team All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) and ODAC Defensive Player of the Year honor while securing her third consecutive ODAC Player of the Year nod. She leads the Blue and White in points, rebounds, and blocks this season, as the senior is tallying 21.1 points per game and 16.6 rebounds per game, which both lead the ODAC, while ranking second in the league with 2.1 blocks per game. Schleusner has also recorded 27 double-doubles this season, which leads all NCAA divisions.
This season, Schleusner became the all-time leading rebounder and career leader in double-doubles in NCAA Division III history while ranking seventh in rebounding average with 16.2 and eighth in career points with 2,436. In addition, she ranks second in all NCAA divisions in career rebounds (1,946) and third in double-doubles (95).
The Charlotte, N.C. native is a business administration and strategic communication double major and was named to the Academic All-ODAC team in 2023. Schleusner serves as a university ambassador, a radio host at WLUR 91.5 FM and is a member of Kathekon. She is also the President of the Public Relations Student Society of America while serving as the Vice President of the Delta Society. Schleusner also volunteers at the Kendall Retirement Home in Lexington..
WOMEN'S JOSTENS TROPHY FINALISTS
- Isabella Antonacci, Allegheny College
- Riley Corcoran, Bridgewater College (Va.)
- Brianna Fitzgerald, SUNY New Paltz
- Natalie Gricius, Carroll University
- Vanessa Hall, Utica University
- Lexy Harris, Washington University in St. Louis
- Kaci Kranson, University of Scranton
- Macy Miller, Ohio Wesleyan University
- Samaree Perkins, Capital University
- Mary Schleusner, Washington and Lee University
- Elyse Warren, Millsaps College
Additional information on the award can be found at
https://odaconline.com/sports/jostenstrophy. You can view past Jostens Trophy Winners and Finalists
here.
Nestled in the mountains of Virginia, Washington and Lee University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Founded in 1749, W&L is the ninth-oldest college in the United States and a top-ranked liberal arts university. With over 500 student-athletes in 24 varsity sports, the Generals have celebrated over 265 conference championships. Learn more about the Blue and White by visiting www.generalssports.com or on social media at @WLUGenerals.
