Two Horizon League Student-Athletes Named Academic All-Americans

Butler distance runner Andy Baker and Youngstown State thrower Aaron Merrill have been named second-team on the 2009-10 ESPN The Magazine University Division Academic All-America Men's Track and Field and Cross Country Team, selected by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America).

Baker, a native of Minehead, U.K., carried a 3.907 GPA in Butler's MBA program, and earned the national academic recognition for the second consecutive year. He led Butler to its 12th consecutive Horizon League cross country title in the fall when he completed his eligibility. And was the 2009 individual champion, picking up the crown for the third straight year.

The three-time Horizon League Male Cross Country Athlete of the Year qualified for the NCAA Cross Country Championship in each of the past three seasons. He also had a notable career on Butler's track and field team, earning Outdoor Track & Field Athlete of the Year and Outstanding Running Performer accolades in 2008.

Merrill, a native of Leetonia, Ohio, carried a 3.79 GPA and graduated summa cum laude in May with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. The YSU/Vindicator Scholar-Athlete of the Year was a Third-Team Academic All-America selection in 2009.

Merrill won six individual Horizon League titles in his career, including first place finishes in the shot put at the 2010 Horizon League Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field Championships. He was also named the Outdoor Track & Field Outstanding Field Performer in 2009.