USATF Foundation doubles Olympic qualifier bonus pool to $100,000; sends 19 grantee athletes to London

USATF Foundation doubles Olympic qualifier bonus pool to $100,000; sends 19 grantee athletes to London

The USA Track & Field Foundation decided at its board meeting June 30 to double the original Elite Athlete Grantee bonus pool cap of $50,000 announced April 11, to $100,000, announced Foundation Executive Director Tom Jackovic and Chairman Bob Greifeld today.

“We are thrilled to see the extraordinary performances of our Foundation’s grantees at the Olympic Trials,” shared Jack Wickens, Foundation Director. “The number of grantees who have earned their way to be on the Olympic team has far exceeded our most optimistic projections.”

With the 2012 Olympic Trials at historic Hayward Field now in the books, there are 19 Foundation grant recipients who have stamped their tickets to London. Jackovic and Greifeld announced today that each London-bound athlete will receive a $5,000 bonus.

The 19 Foundation sponsored athletes who have been named to Team USA more than doubles the 2008 result when 9 grantees qualified for the Olympic team. They include:

  • Kyle Alcorn: 2nd place, steeplechase
  • Keshia Baker, 1600 meter relay pool (5th place, 400 meters)
  • Lance Brooks: 1st place, discus throw
  • Stephanie Brown Trafton: 1st place, discus throw
  • Becky Holliday: 2nd place, pole vault
  • Cyrus Hostetler: 5th place, javelin throw*
  • Molly Huddle: 2nd place, 5000 meters
  • Kibwe Johnson: 1st place, hammer throw
  • A.G. Kruger: 3rd place, hammer throw
  • Jamie Nieto: 1st place, high jump
  • Kara Patterson: 2nd place, javelin throw
  • Jeff Porter, 3rd place, 110 hurdles
  • Alice Schmidt: 3rd place, 800 meters
  • Amanda Smock: 1st place, triple jump
  • Aretha Thurmond: 2nd place, discus throw
  • Morgan Uceny: 1st place, 1500 meters
  • Jason Young: 3rd place, discus throw
  • Rachel Yurkovich: 4th place, javelin throw**

* Places 1 & 2 did not have “A” standard
** Place 3 did not have “A” standard

In addition, the USATF Foundation board awarded a $3500 John W. James Endowment grant, as well as the $5,000 bonus, to Amanda Bingson. Amanda, a recent UNLV grad, thrilled the crowd at the Nike campus last Thursday when she set multiple personal records, met the Olympic A standard and made her first Olympic team in the hammer throw.

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.



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 and experienced elite athletes, along with guidance on future career paths. 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!. Youth athletes are supported via monetary grants to youth clubs.

For more information, or to contribute to the USA Track & Field Foundation, Click Here or contact Tom Jackovic at (412) 398-2484 or tjackovic@usatffoundation.org.