June 13, 2011
USTFCCCA Release | By Event 
| By Team
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced the official list of 2011 USTFCCCA All-Americans on Monday, which included eight distinctions for the Illinois women's track and field team. The Illini took home one first-team honor, five second-team nods and a pair of honorable mention All-American awards for their performances at the final site of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships held in Des Moines, Iowa.
Under the new system, first-team USTFCCCA All-America honors are awarded to those who earn any portion of a team point at the national championships, or reach an eight-entrant final. Second-team All-America honors are handed out to those whose final placing in the national meet range from ninth to 16th place. Those who participated at the final site but did not place in the meet's top 16 are listed as honorable mention for the All-America award.
Junior Ashley Kelly earned her first career All-America awards, collecting first-team honors for placing eighth in the 400m and second-team laurels for as part of the 4x100m relay, which placed 13th overall in the NCAA semifinal. Senior Tamika Robinson, who finishes her career as a three-time All-American, tallied second-team honors as part of the relay and an honorable mention distinction in the 100m hurdles.
Seniors Melissa Bates and Cheria Morgan became All-Americans for the first time, picking up second-team honors on the 4x100m relay, while senior Chantelle Groenewoud was tabbed a second-team All-American after finishing 12th in the 3,000m steeplechase, marking her first career accolade. Sophomore Stephanie Morgan rounded out the awards with an honorable mention selection in the 1,500m.
2011 USTFCCCA All-Americans
First Team
400m Dash - Ashley Kelly
Second Team
4x100m Relay - Melissa Bates
3000m Steeplechase - Chantelle Groenewoud
4x100m Relay - Ashley Kelly
4x100m Relay - Cheria Morgan
4x100m Relay - Tamika Robinson
Honorable Mention
1500m Run - Stephanie Morgan
100m Hurdles - Tamika Robinson
