The National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) has named Maryville senior Dannen Merrill to their 2009 All-American Academic Team.
It is the 16th year the NHSCA has honored these achievers in the classroom.
The 103 selections nation wide for 2009 includes 57 seniors, 27 juniors, 13 sophomores and six freshmen, and come from 30 states. They sport an average grade-point average (GPA) of 3.78 on a scale of 4.0, with 25 members of the team earning a GPA of 4.0 or better.
To be considered for selection, an athlete must carry a GPA of 3.4 or better (on a scale of 4.0), be a state tournament place winner or have received All-State honors.
"The members of this year's All-Academic Team define what it means to be a student-athlete today," NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro Jr. said. "They are leaders both on the field and in the classroom, and we are proud to be honoring them."
Dannen Merrill is a three-time Missouri State Wrestling medallist, placing fifth as a freshman, third as a sophomore and winning the State Championship as a junior.
The Missouri Coaches Association also named him as a Missouri Academic All State Wrestler all three years. Merrill is a member of the Maryville Hounds Football Team that placed second at the State Tournament in 2008 and the Maryville Hounds Boys Track Team, which are the 2009 MEC Champions and was also a member of the 2008 MEC Champion 4x800 relay team.
He has been named to the Who’s Who is High School Sports and the Who’s Who for High School Academics.
Dannen Merrill marches with the Spoofhound Marching Band, is a member of the MHS National Honor Society, was a 2009 Missouri Boys State participant and is an Eagle Scout and member of the Honorary Tribe of Mic-O-Say.
Dannen Merrill is the son of David and Jean Merrill, Maryville.
