Former Illini Track star Olivia Howell has made her decision official.
The reigning NCAA indoor mile champion is heading to Austin, Texas to run for the Longhorns.
Howell will be reunited with Sarah Smith, who left Illinois to be apart of the coaching staff for Texas’ track and field and cross country team. Smith is the women’s distance coach for the Longhorns.
Howell entered the transfer portal on July 1, according to The Stride Report. The 22-year-old is a five-time All-American who had just won the 2022-23 Illinois Dike Eddleman and Female Award after a stellar season on the track.
Howell had also won the Indoor Mile championship in 2022, and was the Big Ten’s Indoor Track athlete of the year.
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
Howell’s Illini career officially ends with three Big Ten indoor mile championships, three Big Ten 1,500 meter championships and a second place finish in the Big Ten 5,000 meter race. In the outdoor race, Howell finished eighth nationally.
@arrosen76
