Andrew Riley and Melissa Fernandez can now add another line to their already impressive career resumes — Illinois Athlete of the Year.

The two were announced Thursday as the recipients of the 2010-11 Dike Eddleman Award, the honor given annually to the top male and female athlete in Illini athletics. The trophy is named after former Illini Dwight “Dike” Eddleman, an 11-time Varsity letter-winner in track and field, basketball and football from 1947-49.

Riley, a native of Kingston, Jamaica, was coming off a national championship in the 110-meter hurdles entering his junior season. He picked up right where he left off, winning an NCAA title in the 60-meter hurdles at the 2010 NCAA Indoor Championships, while also earning his third straight Big Ten title in the event.

In the outdoor portion of the season, Riley won his second straight Big Ten title in the 110 hurdles and nearly won a second national title, finishing second at the NCAA Outdoor Championships with a time of 13.33 seconds.

“I’m very excited about winning this award,” Riley said. “To win this award is a distinct privilege, and to be recognized as one of the best Illinois male athletes is just truly, truly humbling.”

Riley won the award over five other nominees: wrestler Jimmy Kennedy, golfer Luke Guthrie, football player Mikel Leshoure, gymnast Tyler Mizoguchi and tennis player Dennis Nevolo. He is the 14th male track and field athlete to earn the award and the first since Anthony Jones took home the honor in 2004.

“When I look at the past winners, there’s some great guys,” Riley said. “To put myself in there right now, I can’t take anything for granted. I just feel honored right now.”

Fernandez, on the other hand, became just the second member of the Illinois women’s gymnastics team to earn the award, joining 1984 winner Karen Brems. It also marks the first time in six years the female award has gone to a sport other than track and field.

“To be put into the record books with Angela Bizzari (who won it the last three years) and the other athletes, it feels fantastic,” Fernandez said. “I feel so honored to be given this award.”

The senior from Eudora, Kan., scored a career-best 39.375 in the all-around at the NCAA Championships to become Illinois’ first All-American in program history in the event. Fernandez added two more All-America honors, with her second career first team honor on beam as well as a second team honor on floor. Her fifth-place finish on beam at the NCAAs marks the highest finish in Illini history, and her four career All-American honors are the most of any Illini female gymnast.

Fernandez passed four other nominees: basketball player Karisma Penn, track and field runner Tamika Robinson, volleyball player Colleen Ward and softball player Danielle Zymkowitz.

“It means a lot to me to be given this award, especially out of the other finalists. They’ve done some amazing things this year,” Fernandez said.

The Illinois Athlete of the Year Award has been given to the top male and female athlete in Illinois athletics each year since 1982. The awards were named in honor of Eddleman starting in 1993.