NEW ORLEANS – Illinois Wesleyan 2008 graduate Rachel Anderson (Lyons) has become the first athlete from Illinois Wesleyan University to be inducted into the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division III Track & Field Athlete Hall of Fame.

In addition to Anderson Lyons, three others were inducted into the USTFCCCA NCAA DIII Track & Field Athlete Hall of Fame - Chaz Clemons from Lincoln University (Pa.), Jim Gathje from St. John's University (Minn.) and Ria Megnin from Hartwick College.

This is the 16th group inducted into the USTFCCCA NCAA DIII Track & Field Athlete Hall of Fame, which started in 2004.

In her career, Anderson Lyons won seven total NCAA championships, six of those as an individual.
Anderson Lyons won the national indoor 400 meter dash in 2006, 2007 and 2008, becoming just the third woman in NCAA Division III history to win three consecutive indoor 400-meter crowns. In 2008 she led Illinois Wesleyan to national team championships in both the indoor and outdoor meets.
Anderson Lyons was the national champ in the outdoor 400 meters in 2006 and 2008 as well as the outdoor 200 meters in 2008. Also that year she teamed with Brooke Halcott, Ali McCoy, Mackenzie Clemens to win the indoor 4x400 relay.

A native of Clinton, Ill.. Anderson Lyons was also a two-time first team Academic All-American and was selected as the women's track Academic All-American of the Year in 2008.