SALEM, Va. - Senior Mary Schleusner of the Washington and Lee University women's basketball team was named the recipient of the 2026 Jostens Trophy, the Rotary Club of Salem announced on Tuesday afternoon.

"Thank you so much to the Rotary Club of Salem and Jostens for this incredible award," said Schleusner. This recognition is a reflection of those who have supported me along the way. I share this honor with everyone who has helped me throughout my basketball career. I'm so grateful for my teammates, coaches, and the staff at Washington and Lee. Your belief in me and constant support have meant everything, and I wouldn't be here without you. It's hard to put into words how much four years of unconditional love in this program has changed me, so I'll simply say thank you."

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 have been awarded.

"Mary Schleusner is the quintessential model of all that is good and cherished in DIII athletics. Her impact has been enormous, on so many levels, and it is absolutely fitting that her outstanding accomplishments have been recognized by the basketball community in this way," said W&L's Michael F. Walsh Director of Athletics and Physical Education, Jan Hathorn. "We couldn't be prouder of the way she has represented herself, her teammates, Washington and Lee athletics, and our entire community and we are grateful for all she has given us. I can't imagine anyone more deserving or praiseworthy than Mary for this award."

Schleusner becomes the first Washington and Lee basketball player to win the award since it began in 1998. She is also the third player in Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) history and the first since 2015 to win the award, joining Megan Silva of Randolph-Macon College (2006) and Jess Rheinheimer of Eastern Mennonite (2015).

This award adds to a lengthy list of accolades that Schleusner has received this season. She was named the D3hoops.com Division III Women's Player of the Year and earning First Team All-American honors on Saturday while also being selected to the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Coaches All-America Team. In addition, Schleusner earned D3hoops.com First Team All-Region honors for the fourth time while being named the Region 6 Player of the Year for the third consecutive season. She was selected to the D3hoops.com Team of the Week and as the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) National Player of the Week on four different occasions this season. At the conference level, she was named the ODAC Player and Defensive Player of the Year while garnering First Team All-ODAC honors for the fourth time in her career. Schleusner reeled in eight ODAC weekly awards, including five Offensive Player of the Week honors and three Defensive Player of the Week accolades.

"I've always said that the remarkable numbers and achievements Mary has compiled as a student-athlete at W&L only scratch the surface of her impact on this program and the broader community," head women's basketball coach Brittney Kemp said. "Anyone who knows her understands that her character, who she is at her core, is her greatest strength. She has a rare, natural ability to make people feel seen and genuinely valued. She leads with her heart, and I can't think of anyone more deserving of an award that reflects not only her excellence on the court, but also her academic success and her commitment to service and leadership. Mary is truly one of one."

Schleusner, a Charlotte, N.C. native, is a double major in business administration and strategic communication and was named to the Academic All-ODAC team in 2023. She serves as a University Ambassador, a radio host at WLUR 91.5 FM, an Interview Fellow, and is a member of Kathekon, a student organization at W&L that helps improve student-alumni relations. 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 spends time volunteering for the Rockbridge Area Relief Association (RARA), the W&L Campus Kitchen, and the Kendall Retirement Home in Lexington.

Throughout her four years donning the Blue and White, Schleusner etched her name into the W&L, ODAC, and NCAA record books as one of the most prolific players in Division III history. She finished her career as the program leader in points (2,483), points per game (20.4), rebounds (1,992), rebounds per game (16.3), steals (215), and blocks (348) while suiting up for 122 games, missing only one game of her career. She holds conference records in points, rebounds, blocks, field goals made (994), and field goals attempted (2,029). She capped off an incredible career as the Division III all-time leading rebounder and career leader in double-doubles with 97. She ranks seventh all-time in Division III history in career points and rebounding average while ranking second all-time among all NCAA divisions in career rebounds and third in career double-doubles. Schleusner joins Courtney Paris of Oklahoma (2005-2009) as the only players to record 2,000 points and 1,900 rebounds in a career while also recording 500+ rebounds in three seasons.

Schleusner helped lead the Blue and White to a 107-16 (.870) overall record with a 63-5 (.927) mark in conference play over the last four seasons. The Generals hoisted three conference titles while making four NCAA Tournament appearances, including two trips to the NCAA Quarterfinal in 2024 and 2026. This past season, W&L set program records in wins (31), winning streak (31), winning percentage (.969), most points scored in a single game (118 vs. Hollins), and field goals made in a single game (42 vs. Hollins).
 

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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.