The College of Wooster's Kym Wenz was selected as one of 12 women's finalists for the Jostens Trophy, a national award to honor the most outstanding men's and women's NCAA Div. III basketball players of the year. Considerations for the award include basketball ability, academic prowess, and community service.
Wenz, from North Ridgeville, Ohio (Avon Lake H.S.), is the first Wooster student-athlete (male or female) to be a finalist in the 13-year history of the award, which is coordinated by the Rotary Club of Salem, Va.
"That's awesome. I couldn't be more excited for her," Fighting Scots' head coach Lisa Campanell Komara exclaimed. "She's definitely deserving of that. Her hard work, both in the classroom and on the court, has paid off. She really exemplifies what being a Div. III student-athlete is all about. It's an honor for Kym, our program, and the College as a whole."
On the hardwood, Wenz, a 5-7 senior guard, was simply one of the best scorers and shooters in Div. III throughout the 2009-10 season, currently ranking No. 14 in points per game (20.8) and No. 2 in 3-point percentage (.474: 72-for-152). She led the North Coast Athletic Conference in each of those categories and ranked second in free throw percentage (.807; 113-for-140) and fourth in steals (2.62 per game).
For her career, Wenz finished as Wooster's all-time leader in scoring average at 17.1 points per game and her 1,558 total points were second in team history as well as 13th in the conference annals, despite missing half of her sophomore season due to injury. Wenz also now stands as the career record holder in 3-pointers made (167), 3-point percentage (.415), and free throws made (363), while also placing third in free throw percentage (.803) and fourth in steals (202).
Majoring in communication studies with a minor in physical education, Wenz holds a 3.40 grade-point average. She is a member of Lampda Pi Eta (national honor society for communications) and was awarded (by faculty) for the top Independent Study presentation speech within the communications department for her project. Wenz, a three-time member of the Dean's List, also is a teaching assistant within the department of communications.
In the community, Wenz has been a four-year participant with Scots in Service, performing a variety of volunteer activities. She also is a member of the Women's Athletic and Recreation Association on campus and teaches young girls basketball and life-skills during summer camp.
The overall winners will be presented with the Jostens Trophy on March 18, at the Salem Civic Center in conjunction with the men's NCAA Div. III Championships being hosted in Salem, Va., on March 19-20.