21 Jul USA Track & Field Foundation Awards $400,000 in Elite Athlete Development Grants to 50 Athletes
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, 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