June 4, 2012

USTFCCCA Awards

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - University of Illinois senior Andrew Riley earned the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association's (USTFCCCA) Midwest Region Athlete of the Year award.

Riley will look to add to his two national titles this weekend, as he is the top seed in the 100m and will also compete in the 110m hurdles at the NCAA Championships after winning the 100m dash and finishing runner-up in the hurdles at the NCAA West Prelims. The senior won the 100m in a school-record time of 10.03, a time which is the fastest heading into the national meet while his hurdles time of 13.33 ranks second out of the 24 qualifiers.

Riley claimed his fourth-straight Big Ten title in the 110m hurdles, finishing in a time of 13.64. He also was back atop the podium after winning the 100m dash for the second time in his career with a time of 10.39. The Kingston, Jamaica, native also ran the lead leg in the 4x100m relay squad which won the Big Ten title for the second year in a row.

Riley will be one of five Illini to compete this week at the national meet along with senior Stanley Azie (100m, 200m), senior Kyle Engnell (3,000m Steeplechase) and is part of the 4x100m relay team with freshman Brandon Stryganek, freshman DJ Zahn and Azie.