CHAMPAIGN, ILL. – Former Fighting Illini sprinter Ashley Kelly qualified for this summer's Rio Olympic Games in the 200m. Kelly's 23.17 qualifying mark ranks second on the Virgin Island's All-Time list. During her time at the University of Illinois, Kelly totaled two All-American finishes and three Big Ten titles between the 4x400m relay and 400m dash.

Individually, Kelly ran both the 200m and 400m dashes during her time at Illinois. In 2011, Kelly set a then school record in the 400m, clocking 53.59 at the Meyo Invite, and went on to win the Big Ten title in the event. That spring, Kelly again excelled in the 400m with her first individual qualification for NCAA Championships, placing eighth to finish as a First Team All-American. She concluded her individual Illini career with top-five finishes in both the 200m and 400m at both Big Ten meets.

As a four-year member of the 4x400m relay team, Kelly qualified for four NCAA Championships, earning All-America honors at the 2012 indoor meet. At the conference level, the relay team won the 2012 Big Ten title at both the indoor and outdoor meets. At the indoor meet, the quartet set a then Big Ten record in the event, clocking a time of 3:34.89 with Kelly running the second of the four legs. The quartet would go on to compete at both the 2012 indoor and outdoor NCAA Championships, earning Second Team All-American honors at the indoor meet.   

Originally from Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Kelly set multiple records while in high school. In the spring of 2008, she set the national 400m record at the DeKalb International Prep Classic. As a member of the 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams, she helped set BVI national youth records her junior and senior years.

The 2016 Rio Olympics 200m prelims are set to begin on August 15 and conclude with the event final on the evening of August 17.