CLINTON, Iowa - The Ashford University women's track and field program kept on growing when it welcomed its newest member, Chanelle Whittington of Rockford, Ill., officially this week.

Whittington joins a group of newcomers assembled by AU Head Coach Tyson Graham that includes her teammate at Auburn High School, Nkemdilim "Kemi" Okwumabua, also of Rockford.

"We're excited to have Chanelle on board and she helps ease the loss of (junior sprinter) LaQuisha (Buchanan)," Graham said. "Each member of our recruiting class carries the potential to contribute during our indoor and spring seasons."

Whittington was a four-time all-conference selection (NIC-9, NIC-10) at Auburn and also competed in cross country as a freshman. She was a member of a school record-breaking 4x200-meter relay team (1:45.7) and eventually that group reset the new mark during her senior year with a 1:45.2.

Whittington chose Ashford over Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

Whittington, the daughter of Frederick and Stephanie Whittington, is going to pursue a major in biology when classes start on Monday.

To view more photos from Whittington's signing day, click here. (Click AU, 2009-10, Signing Day Gallery II)