PITTSBURGH – With the Tokyo Olympics and other major international competitions around the corner, it is paramount that American elite athletes are being supported. After a year and a half of uncertainty and severe financial losses, athletes who have tirelessly committed their lives to the sport of Track & Field are starting to see the light. The USA Track & Field Foundation has successfully supported athletes with training and living expenses over the past 16 years and this year the amount of funding has hit a new high. 50 deserving athletes will receive awards in the amount of $8,000 each. This funding along with the 65 Stephen A. Schwarzman grants and John W. James grants (soon to be announced) total $2,448,000 in giving to 115 elite Track & Field athletes. This marks the first time in history the USATF Foundation has been able to gift over $2,000,000 in one year, a truly monumental milestone. “The depth and quality of the athletes at the Trials and the performances were truly extraordinary especially in view of the hardships brought about by COVID-19, limiting competitions and training. We at the Foundation are doing everything we can to keep these uniquely talented athletes in the sport,” stated USATF Foundation Director Preston Johnson. All USATF Foundation grants are awarded from a pool of applicants. Elite athletes are encouraged to apply every year in April or May. The Elite Athlete Development grants are decided upon by the USATF Foundation Elite Grant Committee and criteria is based on athlete performance, monetary need, and a character reference. The 50 talented athletes to receive funding in the amount of $8,000 are:
Alicia Monson - 10,000m Abdi Abdirahman - Marathon Aliphine Tuliamuk - Marathon Allie Wilson - 800m Andrew Liskowitz - Shot Put Ashtin Mahler - Heptathlon Chase Ealey - Shot Put Chris Benard - Triple Jump Craig Engels - 1500m Curtis Thompson - Javelin Throw Daniel Michalski - Steeplechase Darrell Hill - Shot Put Dezerea Bryant - 200m Donavan Brazier - 800m Elly Henes - 5000m Harrison Williams - Decathlon Heather MacLean - 1500m Helen Schlachtenhaufen - 1500m Henry Wynne - 1500m Isaac Updike - Steeplechase Jacob Riley - Marathon Jacob Wooten - Pole Vault Janee’ Kassanavoid - Hammer Throw Jeff Henderson - Long Jump Joe Klecker - 10,000m Josette Norris - 5000m Katie Rainsberger - Steeplechase Leah Falland - Steeplechase Maggie Ewen - Shot Put Marisa Howard - Steeplechase Mason Ferlic - Steeplechase Michael Shuey - Javelin Throw Michaela Meyer - 800m Michelle Atherley - Heptathlon Nicole Greene - High Jump Rachel Schneider - 5000m Rachel McCoy - High Jump Robert Dunning - 110m Hurdles Robyn Stevens - Racewalk Sage Hurta - 800m Sally Kipyego - Marathon Sam Mattis - Discus Throw Sean Donnelly - Hammer Throw Shamier Little - 400m Hurdles Shannon Osika - 1500m Tamara Clark - 200m TeeTee Terry - 100m Tonea Marshall - 100m Hurdles Trevor Bassitt - 400m Hurdles Val Constien - Steeplechase
The USATF Foundation provides a means to attract and guide funds to new and innovative track and field programs with an emphasis on providing opportunities for youth athletes, emerging elite athletes, and distance training centers. The Foundation depends upon donations from its Board of Directors, major gifts, and from generous fans of track & field. Elite athletes are supported by the Foundation via monetary grants, career counseling (mentoring and jobs) and participation in Run with US! (www.runwithus.org). Youth athletes are supported via monetary grants to youth clubs. For more information, or to contribute to the USA Track & Field Foundation, visit www.usatffoundation.org or contact Tom Jackovic at (412) 398-2484 or tjackovic@usatffoundation.org.