LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - Freshman high jumper Andrew Batula was honored on Friday by conference coaches as the PSAC Outdoor Track and Field Freshman of the Year, marking a sweep of the rookie awards for the 2008-09 track and field season.

Batula capped off a stellar debut campaign as an All-American in the high jump at the Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships, placing eighth after clearing 6-feet, 9.5 inches. He is the third Shippensburg athlete in history to earn All-American honors in the high jump and the first since 1988, when Matt McVetta finished fifth at the outdoor championships.

Additionally, Batula was a conference champion in the high jump after a toe-to-toe battle with Kutztown's Cody Hartzler. Batula cleared his final jump of 6-feet, 10.75 inches to win the PSAC title and tie his mark as the ninth-best performance in Division II. His previous season-best entering the postseason was a jump of 6-feet, 8.25 inches at the University of Richmond.

Following the winter season, Batula was honored with the freshman of the year award after making an immediate impact with an indoor conference championship in the high jump. His winning effort of 6-feet, 9.75 inches helped him advance to the Division II National Championships, where he finished 10th.