USA Track & Field Foundation awards Pitch Johnson Grants to 50 Elite Track & Field Athletes

USA Track & Field Foundation awards Pitch Johnson Grants to 50 Elite Track & Field Athletes


PITTSBURGH – The USA Track & Field Foundation is pleased to award its final grants of 2020, with 50 Pitch Johnson travel grants.  These grants are funded by the generosity of USATF Foundation Director, Franklin “Pitch” Johnson to honor his late father, also named “Pitch”.  The elder Pitch Johnson was a 110m hurdler and competed in the 1924 Paris Games.  He was also the track & field and cross country coach at Drake and Stanford Universities, the Director of the Drake Relays, and a Founder of the National Collegiate Track Coaches Association.

The Foundation announced that 50 talented athletes will receive $1,500 each as part of a grant travel program that was created last year in 2019 by Pitch.  The grant criteria were expanded beyond travel expenses for 2020 due to the lack of travel opportunities athletes were experiencing in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Pitch Johnson, and his family are staples in the world of track & field and the USATF Foundation is grateful for their continued support of these dedicated athletes. “I am pleased to have the opportunity to utilize my 2020 travel grants for promising athletes, who did little travel this year, as financial aid, which is needed by essentially all of them in these times,” stated Pitch Johnson.

The following 50 athletes will receive grant awards in the amount of $1,500 each:

Aaron Mallet110m Hurdles
Abdi AbdirahmanMarathon
Amere Latin400m Hurdles
Ariana InceJavelin
Ashton Zamzow-MahlerHeptathlon
Brian WilliamsDiscus
Brooke AndersenHammer Throw
Chari HawkinsHeptathlon
Chris BenardTriple Jump
Chris NilsenPole Vault
Conor McCulloughHammer Throw
Daniel HaughHammer Throw
David Kendziera400m Hurdles
Devon WilliamsDecathlon
Donald ScottTriple Jump
Emily GrovePole Vault
Freddie Crittenden110m Hurdles
Harrison WilliamsDecathlon
Heather MacLean1500m
Jacob RileyMarathon
Jaide Stepter400m
Jasmine ToddLong Jump
Jeron RobinsonHigh Jump
Jessica RamseyShot Put
Josh Thompson1500m
Kara WingerJavelin
Kate HallLong Jump
Kayla White100m
Kelsey CardDiscus
Laulauga Tausaga – CollinsDiscus
Mason FinleyDiscus
Michelle CarterShot Put
Nia Akins800m
Obi Igbokwe400m
Olivia Baker800m
Payton OtterdahlShot Put
Rachel Schneider5000m
Reggie JagersDiscus
Rudy WinklerHammer Throw
Sam MattisDiscus
Sean DonnellyHammer Throw
Shadrack Kipchirchir10000m
Sha’Keela SaundersLong Jump
Shakima Wimbley400m
Sherika Nelvis100m Hurdles
Solomon SimmonsDecathlon
Stanley KebeneiSteeplechase
Trumaine JeffersonLong Jump
Tynita ButtsHigh Jump
Woody Kincaid5000m

 



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.