Feb. 23, 2005

ABILENE, Texas - For the fourth straight year Hardin-Simmons has had a women's basketball player named as a finalist for the Josten's Trophy, which is given to the top student-athlete in Division III basketball.

Diana Martinez is one of 10 national finalists for the award that is given by the Josten's Committee. The award takes into account, community service, academic and athletic excellence. Martinez joins Lauren Harris from last season and Kendra Anderson from the two years prior to that.

The senior from Comanche has a 3.85 GPA and has been a big volunteer in the community for the Cowgirls. She also leads the team in scoring at 15.3 points per game and is the school's all-time leader in assists. She has posted a 101-9 mark in four seasons with the Cowgirls. She will lead HSU into the American Southwest Conference Tournament this weekend at the Mabee Complex.

Joining Martinez as a finalist are: Alyssa Antolick, DeSales; Amy Argetsinger, DePauw; Ashley Edwards, Concordia-Austin; Katie Maguire, Buena Vista; Amanda Nechuta, UW-Stevens Point; Tara Rohde, Trinity (Texas); Megan Vig, Carleton; Siobhan Zerilla, Wilmington; and Olivia Zurek, Bates. The award will be presented at the Final Four.

Martinez was also named to the District VI College CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine academic all-district team. She is one of five players on the first team. District six is comprised of Oklahoma, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi and New Mexico. The College Division is for all players at the NCAA Division II, III and NAIA levels.