01 Jul John W. James Endowment Grant recipients excel at Nationals; Grantee Amanda Bingson sets new American Record
INDIANAPOLIS – At the recently completed USA Outdoor National Track & Field Championships in Des Moines, IA, five athletes that are current recipients of a John W, James Endowment Grant were awarded medals, announced Foundation Executive Director Tom Jackovic and Chairman Bob Greifeld today.
The James Endowment was created in July 2010 for the purpose of funding elite grants for men and women track athletes in the throwing events and to promote and highlight the throwing events at major competitions.
Leading the charge at the 2013 National Championships was hammer thrower Amanda Bingson, who not only set a new American record of 74.92 meters (245-9) on her second throw, but bettered her own record with a third round toss of 75.73 meters (248-5).
Bingson, upon reading a congratulatory Tweet by the Foundation, remarked that “it is because of the support from the Foundation that I can call myself the record holder. Thank you so much.”
Veteran hammer thrower and three-time Olympian A.G. Kruger also stood atop the podium with a toss of 75.52 meters (247-9). This marks Kruger’s fifth national outdoor title.
AMANDA BINGSON (AR HOLDER)
2012 Olympian Lance Brooks, who last year at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, OR, thrilled the crowd with a final discus throw that gave him the gold medal and the IAAF “A” standard, won the competition with a throw of 62.29 meters (204-4).
Second place in the discus throw was awarded to Russ Winger with a throw of 62.03 meters (203-6) and third place in the women’s javelin went to two-time Olympian and current American record holder Kara Patterson with a throw of 55.88 meters (183-4).
Other notable performances included shot putter Cory Martin’s fourth place result of 20.67 meters (67-9-3/4), hammer thrower Britney Henry’s fifth place showing of 69.57 meters (228-3) and 2012 Olympian Kibwe Johnson, who was competing in the hammer throw while injured. Kibwe’s throw of 71.17 meters (233-6) was good for fifth place.
Note: Some of the above athletes will need to attain the IAAF standard for their respective event before July 20, 2013, to be eligible to compete at the Moscow World Championships.
The Foundation Elite Athlete Grant Program contributes to the pursuit of world-class performances by American post-collegiate track and field athletes. Athletes must meet minimum performance and financial need standards to be eligible.