CHAMPAIGN — Nine-time Illinois All-America distance runner Angela Bizzarri on Thursday was named an ESPN the Magazine first-team Academic All-American.
The cellular and molecular biology major with a 3.62 GPA is one of six Big Ten women on the list. Bizzarri, who just finished her collegiate career, won the 2009 cross-country national championship and the indoor 3,000-meter title.

Wisslead into semis. Illinois junior Cody Wisslead advanced to the semifinals of the 400-meter hurdles Thursday at the USA Championships in Des Moines, Iowa. He clocked a time of 51.59 seconds and is one of 16 athletes running in today’s semifinals.

Incoming baseball players feted. Reid Roper, Thomas Lindauer and Drasen Johnson, three incoming UI freshman baseball players, recently were named to various postseason all-state teams.
Roper, a middle infielder from Harrisburg, was named a first-teamer by the Chicago Tribune and the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association. Lindauer, a middle infielder from Moline, was named a first-teamer by the IHBCA and honorable mention by the Tribune. Johnson, a right-handed pitcher from Chillicothe, was an honorable mention selection by the Tribune.