03 Jul USA Track & Field Foundation Grantees take the 2014 USATF Outdoor Championships by storm
INDIANAPOLIS – In what has quickly become an annual tradition, The USA Track & Field Foundation’s Elite Grantees took center stage at last weekend’s 2014 USATF Outdoor Championships in Sacramento, California.
With a massive number of Foundation grantees qualifying for Nationals this year the USA Track & Field Foundation was anticipating a record-setting year for performances—and the athletes delivered.
The competition heated up on day one with Felisha Johnson taking second place in the women’s shot put with a throw of 19.18m. In the men’s shot, the Foundation experienced another breakthrough performance by Joe Kovacs. Joe was victorious with a throw of 22.03m while fellow John W. James grantee Kurtis Roberts took second place with a 21.47m throw.
Additional John W. James grantees had continued success in the throwing events. With a throw of 62.43m, Kara Patterson took first place in the javelin throw. Grantee Amanda Bingson became champion at outdoors in the hammer throw with a throw of 75.07m. The men’s hammer throw ended memorably with Kibwe Johnson taking home the gold (74.16m) and AG Kruger coming in close second (73.34m). Liz Podominick powered through for second place in the discus with a throw of 59.96m.
“The John W James fund was established to shine light on these amazing men and women who dedicate their life to the throwing events. Their hard work and dedication was demonstrated by their performances this weekend. Congratulations to all,” exclaimed Foundation Executive Director Tom Jackovic.
Stephen Schwarzman and Elite Athlete Foundation grantees also found the podium in the jumping events. Taking home the gold was Inika Mcpherson in the women’s high jump with a huge jump of 2.00m, 6-6 ¾. Another gold medal was secured by Amanda Smock in the triple jump with a jump of 13.77m, 45-2 ¼. Jeffery Henderson was also victorious in the men’s long jump with a jump of 8.52m, 27-11 ½. Other great performances were accomplished by Foundation Grantees: Dusty Jonas (second place, high jump) and Michael Hartfield (third place, long jump).
As the Championships continued, the Foundation grantees’ first-class performances kept on coming. Molly Huddle snagged first place in the women’s 5000m run (15:01.56). Barbara Nwaba showed great determination in the Heptathlon winning second with 6307 points. The men’s steeplechase proved exciting with Dan Huling stealing second place (8:19.73). The men’s and women’s pole vault produced two great grantee performances by Mark Hollis (second place – 5.70m) and Becky Holliday (third place – 4.45m). Rounding out the weekend were David Oliver (110H, third place – 13.23), Miranda Melville (20,000m Racewalk, second place – 1:37:59.83) and Erik Sowinski getting third place in the 800m final.