24 Jul USATF Foundation Awards 60 Elite Athlete Development Grants
PITTSBURGH-
As the world’s top track and field athletes gather for the 2024 Olympic Games, the USATF Foundation proudly announces its annual commitment to fostering elite talent. This year, the Foundation is awarding a total of $900,000 in financial aid to athletes pursuing excellence at the professional level, representing an unprecedented commitment by the Foundation’s Board of Directors and donors.
Each of the 60 selected athletes will receive a grant of $15,000, marking a continued effort by the Foundation to alleviate the financial pressures associated with training and competing at the highest levels. The funding is intended to cover essential expenses such as travel, coaching, physical therapy, recovery, equipment, and other costs related to preparing for major competitions like the Olympic Games and World Championships.
Significantly, 17 of these grants are being awarded to athletes recently graduated from the NCAA, emphasizing the Foundation’s focus on the development of emerging talent and supporting their transition to the professional ranks.
“2024 was a record year for both the number of applications and the quality of our US athletes. While that speaks strongly of our international potential, it does make for some hard moments for the Foundation when not every deserving athlete gets a grant. It is extremely rewarding to play some small part in these athletes’ lives,” exclaimed Foundation Board Member Joe Fabris.
Elite Athlete grants are awarded through a competitive selection process. The Elite Athlete Development grants are carefully reviewed and determined by the USATF Foundation Elite Grant Committee, based on a combination of athletic performance, financial need, and character references.
The USATF Foundation is dedicated to nurturing the development of track and field talent in the United States, playing a pivotal role in empowering aspiring athletes to chase their dreams, excel at the highest level, and represent their country proudly on the international stage.
“The USATF Foundation’s generosity has helped myself, and many other athletes, to be able to do what we love most. It enables us to chase our dreams and goals and represent the United States on the highest stage. I cannot put into words how much the Foundation makes a difference,” explained Foundation grant award winner Tripp Piperi.
The following 60 athletes will receive USATF Foundation Elite Athlete Development Grants in the amount of $15,000 each:
Brooke Andersen – Hammer
Michelle Atherley – Heptathlon
Adelaide Aquilla – Shot Put
Pjai Austin – 100m
Dylan Beard – 110H
Zachery Bradford – Pole Vault
Jamal Britt – 110H
Johnnie Blockburger – 400m
Claire Bryant – Long Lump
Timara Chapman – Heptathlon
Vincent Ciattei – 1500m
Tamara Clark – 200m
Trey Cunningham – 110H
Jalani Davis- Shot Put
Caleb Dean – 400H
Talitha Diggs – 400m
Wesley Ferguson – 800m
Riley Felts – Pole Vault
Kyle Garland – Decathlon
Krissy Gear – Steeple
Jordan Geist – Shot Put and Hammer
Robert Gregory – 200m
Duncan Hamilton – Steeple
Drew Hunter – 10k
Sage Hurta-Klecker – 800m
Reggie Jagers III – Discus
Gabrielle Jennings – Steeple
Sinclaire Johnson – 1500m
Tia Jones – 100H
Rayniah Jones – 100H
Allie Jones – Heptathlon
Janee Kassanavoid – Hammer
Joseph Klecker – 10k
KC Lightfoot – Pole Vault
Darius Luff – 110H
Heather Maclean – 1500m
Tonea Marshall – 100H
Khaleb McRae – 400m
Jessica McClain – Marathon
Kaylee Mitchell – Steeple
Alicia Monson – 10k
Sandi Morris – Pole Vault
Cameron Murray – 110H
Israel Oloyede – Hammer
Tripp Piperi – Shot Put
Raevyn Rogers – 800m
Yasin Sado – Steeple
Kristie Schoffield – 800m
Jacious Sears – 100m
James Smith – 400H
Parker Stokes – Steeple
Justin Stafford – Hammer
Abby Steiner – 200m
Rachel Tanczos – Hammer
Laulauga Tausaga-Collins – Discus
Turner Washington – Discus
Kendal Williams – 100m
Britton Wilson – 400m
Henry Wynne – 1500m
Joe Waskom – 1500m