Merrill-Johnson Named to ESPN Academic All-America Team (Nov. 23, 2004)

BILLINGS, MT – Montana State University-Billings senior Margot Merrill-Johnson has been selected as the school’s second Academic All-American in as many years by the College Sports Information Directors of America.  The women’s soccer standout was named to the ESPN College Division Academic All-America First Team on Tuesday.  Men’s basketball player Jerett Skrifvars received the honor last year.

"Especially this year, I think it says something about the success of the team," said Merrill-Johnson of the award.  "Individual successes come through the team's work.  That's how all this comes about.  Personally, it's an honor to get such a great award.  Hard work pays off."

The College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-America program divides the country into eight districts.  Sports Information Directors from each of the eight districts select their Academic All-District teams with student-athletes from the eight first teams advancing to national balloting for Academic All-America honors.  Merrill-Johnson, a senior midfielder from Salt Lake City, was named to the CoSIDA District VII first team two weeks ago, placing her on the national ballot for Academic All-America. 

The CoSIDA College Division includes all schools in NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and the NAIA.  Schools from Montana are part of District VII, which also includes Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Alberta and Saskatchewan.  Nominees for the District VII College Division could come from any Division II, Division III, or NAIA school in any of those states. 

In the national balloting, Merrill-Johnson was considered along with the 88 district first team selections from across the nation.  Named to the Academic All-America first team were the top three forwards, three midfielders, four defenders and one goalkeeper.  Among the 88 eligible student-athletes, Merrill-Johnson tied as the fifth leading vote-getter regardless of position.  Jackie Sassaman of Waynesburg College was the top vote-getter and named the Academic All-American of the Year.

Merrill-Johnson is a double major in History and Sociology with a 3.88 cumulative grade point average.  She played in and started every game of her collegiate career, setting the school record for both at 70 games.  In 2004, Merrill-Johnson scored a school-record 11 goals and 28 points en route to breaking the MSU Billings career points record.  Of her 30 career goals, 11 were game-winners.

"The people who put the most emphasis on education in my life were my grandparents," added Merrill-Johnson.  "I know it was always my grandmother's dream to have all her grandchildren graduate from college.  That along with the emphasis my parents put on education played a big role.  Another part that really plays into it is the help from coaches and professors.  Especially at this institution, the personal contact with professors makes a big difference." 

The Yellowjackets finished the 2004 season with an overall record of 12-4-3.  It was the first winning season in the program’s history.  MSU Billings also achieved its first ever regional ranking in 2004 and finished the season ranked tenth in the region.