Youth hammer thrower puts Harold Connolly Grant funds to good use

Youth hammer thrower puts Harold Connolly Grant funds to good use

INDIANAPOLIS – The USA Track & Field Foundation recently announced 13 Harold Connolly Youth Hammer Throw grants, amongst them a 16 year old thrower from Rhode Island who had a personal best hammer throw of 177’9″ prior to his award and now, as a result of his grant, has improved considerably.

Upon hearing of his grant, the athlete sent the following thank you note to the Foundation Board and selection committee outlining his goals for 2013:

“I would like to thank you for choosing me as a recipient of the hammer grant. I have already bought new shoes, training equipment, and my own personal hammer with which I have already improved into the 190’s. My goal for the year is to reach 205′. Anything over that would be awesome, but I can settle at 205′. Another thing I purchased was a 5k hammer. This June, I plan on attending the qualifier meet in Illinois to compete for Youth Juniors which will be held in the Ukraine this year. Hopefully, with my new equipment and hard work, I can make that goal a reality. Thanks again so much! I look forward to improving from the use of items bought with the grant.”

Connolly Grant funds may only be used for specific hammer throw training and competition purposes. These grants are made possible through the support of the USATF Foundation and individual donors.

For more information, please visit HammerThrow.org.



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.