Whits’ McConnell finalist for award
Whitworth Pirates senior guard Dustin McConnell has been named one of 10 finalists for the Jostens Trophy, it was announced Tuesday.
The 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 finalists were announced by the Rotary Club of Salem, Va.
McConnell, the 2014 Northwest Conference Player of the Year, is the second Pirate in the last three years to become a finalist. Felix Friedt was a finalist in 2012.
McConnell, a first-team all-NWC honoree, averages 13.1 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. His 3.6 assists per game topped the NWC. He became the 24th Whitworth player to top 1,000 career points.
McConnell is also a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree. He has participated in community service projects through on-campus ministries and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Spokane. He also tutors junior high and high school students.
The other finalists are Richie Bonney (Hobart); Galen Holzhueter (Martin Luther); Trevor Johnson (Nebraska Wesleyen); Dan Kornbaum (Augsburg); Gordon Lyons (Geneseo State); Tyler Peters (Wheaton, Ill.); Ryan Sheehan (Nichols); Jared Suderley (Hartwick); and David Thompson (Case Western Reserve).
The awards presentation is March 20 at the Salem Civic Center in conjunction with the Division III men’s Final Four in Salem, Va.
McConnell has helped guide the 12th-ranked Pirates to a 22-5 record and a berth in the Division III tournament. Whitworth has a string of eight straight appearances in the tourney.
Women’s golf
The Washington State Cougars jumped up a spot and finished 10th at the Bruin Wave Invitational in Tarzana, Calif.
Senior Mallory Kent paced the Cougars with a 12-over-par 228, tying her for 23rd place.
WSU junior Kristen Rue shot 229 and tied for 26th.
WSU sophomore Monica Huang (242) vaulted 19 spots on the final day to finish in 64th place.
Southern Cal won the team title with a 1-under 863 total. Tournament co-host Pepperdine was second, 13 strokes off the pace followed by co-host UCLA at 886.