February
24, 2009
(release
courtesy of Steven Phelps, Buena Vista University sports information
director)
STORM
LAKE, IOWA . . . Buena Vista University junior guard
Margo Muhlbauer is among the 10 finalists for
the 2009 Jostens Trophy, which is presented annually to the
Most Outstanding Division III Women's and Men's Basketball Player.
This marks the third time that a BVU women's player has been
named a finalist (Katie Maguire 2005 &
2006).
The
prestigious award takes into account three vital parts: basketball
ability, academic prowess and community service. The trophy
models the Rotary motto of “Service above Self”
by recognizing those who truly fit the ideal of the well-rounded
Division III student-athlete. This year’s class marks
the 12th year the award has been presented.
A
native of Manilla, Iowa, Muhlbauer finished the regular season
as the Beavers leading scorer (19.2ppg), while also tying for
the lead in the Iowa Conference. During the team's fifth game
this season, the Pre-Season All-American surpassed the 1,000
career-point mark and currently sits fifth on the program's
all-time list with 1,416 points.
Currently
this season, she has turned in 479 points, while shooting 45.4
percent from the field and leading the team and the IIAC in
free-throw shooting at 88.8 percent (127-of-143). In addition,
she also ranks first on the team in steals (47), second in rebounds
(123), and third in assists (44).
Muhlbauer
is a two-time First Team All-Conference Selection and was named
to the Academic All-Conference Team as a sophomore. She was
also tabbed as an ESPN the Magazine Second Team Academic All-District
Selection in 2008, and following the season was named to the
All-West Region First Team.
A
2006 graduate of IKM High School, Muhlbauer is an accounting
major at BVU and is the daughter of Jeff and Maria Muhlbauer
of Manilla.
Other
finalists included on the women's ballot are: Melanie
Auguste (Colorado College), LeighAnn Burke
(DeSales University), Melissa Gorski (Monmouth
College), Amanda Hiltunen (Randolph-Macon College),
Hillary Klimowicz (The College of New Jersey),
Sarah Meisenberg (Franklin & Marshall College),
Megan Scheele (Edgewood College), Claire
Sheehan (Illinois Wesleyan University), and Keli
Ward (York College).
A
35-person national committee will now select the two winners,
who will then be notified on March 9. The award itself will
be presented to the winning individuals on March 19 at the Salem
Civic Center in conjunction with the Men’s Division III
Championship being hosted in Salem, Va., on March 20-21.
BVU
men's graduate Adam Jones is the only Beaver
to win the award (2002).
Additional
information on the award can be found at: http://www.odaconline.com/jostens/jostens.htm
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