Ripon High senior Cole Herrin is one of 20 Californians to be selected as a state finalist for the Wendy’s High School Heisman award.

Two state winners — one male, one female — will be in the running for the national honor, which recognizes top scholar-athletes who are also campus leaders and outstanding members of their communities. In all, over 45,000 seniors applied nationally, 2,677 from California.

State winners will be announced Nov. 5. From there, 12 will be chosen as national finalists who will be featured in a ceremony televised by ESPN in New York on Dec. 7. National finalists earn gold medals and $2,000 awards for their schools.

The two overall winners will be presented the crystal Wendy’s High School Heisman trophy and a $500 gift certificate to Wendy’s, which will donate $10,000 to their respective schools. They will also be introduced during the 78th Annual Heisman Memorial Trophy presentation on Dec. 8.

Herrin is a third-year wide receiver/cornerback for Ripon’s Trans-Valley League champion football squad. He will also enter his third varsity season for the basketball team this winter.

In 2010, former Ripon Christian standout Logan Vos (basketball, golf) was a state winner for the award