Top Illini sprinters Ashley Spencer and Morolake Akinosun have transferred to Texas, the duo announced on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon.
Texas athletics confirmed the news Tuesday evening.
This comes more than a month after Illini women’s track and field coach Tonja Buford-Bailey left Illinois for Texas’ newly combined men and women program.
Spencer, a junior, won two NCAA titles in the 400-meter dash in her two seasons as an Illini. Sophomore Akinosun, along with Spencer, this past year contributed to a squad that finished fifth in the 1600-meter relay, breaking the school mark. The team finished 14th overall.
The Daily Illini named Spencer, who is a 12-time Big Ten champion, as the athlete of the year this past spring. Spencer also won Big Ten Athlete of the Year honors for both indoor and outdoor competitions.
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Spencer in an early May interview said it’s easier for her to learn from her coach when Buford-Bailey has accomplished what Spencer wants to do.
“Before I came to Illinois, I researched (Buford-Bailey). We ran similar events and just considering her four-year stint at Illinois and not considering her professional career was impressive enough. She’s very easy to talk to and she’s like my mom away from my mom, and that helps a lot,” she said.
Spencer is preparing to represent United States in the World Championships in August.
