SALEM, Va. (blugolds.com) — University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball player Jessie Ruden (Sr. - Rochester, Minn./John Marshall) is a finalist for the 2023 Jostens Trophy. The Jostens Trophy honors the most outstanding men's and women's basketball players in Division III each season. The Rotary Club of Salem announced 10 women's finalists for the trophy on Wednesday.
The Jostens Tophy is awarded to a student-athlete who is well-rounded and fits the motto of "service above self." The award has three main criteria: basketball ability, academic prowess and service to the community.
Ruden is one of 10 finalists for the women's award. The senior guard was the Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference this season and led the Blugolds to their second consecutive NCAA Tournament berth. She led the WIAC in scoring at 17.1 points per game. She also averaged 4.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals per contest and was named to the All-Region 9 second team by D3hoops.com.
The Jostens Trophy National Selection Committee will announce the men's and women's winners on Thursday, March 23.
