Takaoka named as Jostens Trophy finalist

ORANGE, Calif. – Chapman University women's basketball player Kimi Takaoka has been named as one of 10 female finalists for the prestigious Jostens Trophy, awarded annually to the most outstanding men's and women's NCAA Division III basketball player who excels on the floor, in the classroom and in the community.

Takaoka becomes the third Chapman women's basketball player in school history to be named as a finalist, following in the footsteps of April Abeyta '00 and Melody Bongiorno '04.

The senior guard has done it all for Chapman in her four years, currently ranked third on the Panthers' all-time scoring list with 1,537 points. This season she helped guide Chapman to a regular season co-SCIAC championship and back to the NCAA Tournament after a two-year absence. Takaoka is currently averaging 21.5 points per game, which ranks in the top-20 in Division III.

Meanwhile, the two-time Capital One Academic All-America honoree has posted a 3.93 grade-point average in the classroom as an athletic training major and has immersed herself as a volunteer athletic trainer at numerous community events throughout Orange County.

The winners, one male and one female, are selected from amongst 20 finalists and will be announced March 20 at the Salem Civic Center in conjunction with the NCAA Division III men's basketball semifinals and championship in Salem, Va.

The Jostens Trophy is a national award created by the Rotary Club of Salem, Va., to honor the most outstanding men's and women's NCAA Division III basketball players of the year. The award takes into account three vital parts: basketball ability, academic prowess and community service. The trophy models the Rotary International motto of "Service Above Self" by recognizing those who truly fit the ideal of the well-rounded NCAA Division III student-athlete. This year's class marks the 17th year the award has been presented.

Additional information on the award can be found at http://www.odaconline.com/jostens
Jostens Trophy press release: http://www.odaconline.com/jostens/2014/releases/030414-jostens-finalists

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director

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