USATF Foundation grant recipients shine at USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships

Indianapolis - At the recently completed 2009 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships held in Eugene, eight USA Track & Field Foundation Elite Grant recipients qualified to represent the United States at the World Championships in Berlin later this summer, announced Foundation Executive Director Tom Jackovic and Chairman Bob Greifeld. Athletes had to finish in the top 3 of their event and meet qualifying standards.

“It is very gratifying to see these athletes reach their goals, especially when the Foundation plays a part. We look forward to supporting even more athletes in years to come,” said USATF Foundation Director Jack Wickens.

Foundation grants were awarded to individual athletes based upon criteria that included each athlete’s event, recent performance and financial need. In addition, the Foundation’s Distance Project supports athletes through grants to elite training centers.

The following athletes are now members of Team USA and headed to Berlin:

Individual grantees:

• Aretha Thurmond - 4-time grantee - - 2nd place Women's Discus
  
• Mike Hazle - 3-time grantee - - 2nd place Men's Javelin
  
• Diana Pickler - 3-time grantee - - 1st place Women's Heptathlon
  
• Stephanie Brown Trafton - 3-time grantee - - 1st place Women's Discus
• *Keith Moffatt – ’08 grant - - 2nd place tie Men’s High Jump
• Brianna Glenn – 3-time grantee - - 2nd place Women’s Long Jump
• Erin Gilreath – ’08 grant - - 3rd place Women’s Hammer Throw
• Kyle Alcorn - '08 grant - - 3rd place Men's 3000 Meter Steeplechase

*Note: Keith Moffatt has not yet met the “A” standard for his event. He will have until August 3, 2009 to achieve a qualifying jump in order to go to Berlin.

Distance Project Training Center athletes:

• Katie McGregor – 3rd place Women’s 10,000 Meters
• Dathan Ritzenhein – 2nd Men’s 10,000 Meters
• Jennifer Rhines – 2nd place Women’s 5,000 Meters
• Anna Willard – 2nd place Women’s Steeplechase & 3rd place Women’s 1500 Meters

The Foundation also had seven grantees that narrowly missed making the World Championship Team:

• Lionel Larry – ’08 grant - - 4th place Men’s 400 Meters
• Cory Martin – '09 grant - - 4th place Men’s Hammer Throw
• Chris Randolph - ’09 grant - - 4th place Men’s Decathlon
• Maggie Vessey - ’09 grant - - 4th place Women’s 800 Meters
• April Steiner - 3-time grantee – - 4th place tie Women’s Pole Vault
• Britney Henry - 2-time grantee – - 4th place Women’s Hammer Throw
• Yvette Lewis - ’09 grant - - 4th place women’s Triple Jump

Nine other grantees also finished in the top ten in their events.

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 anti-doping education. The Foundation depends upon donations from its Board of Directors and from generous fans of track & field.

For more information or to contribute to the USA Track & Field Foundation, visit www.usatffoundation.org.

View complete results HERE.