USATF Foundation presents grants to five athletes

INDIANAPOLIS - The USA Track & Field Foundation has presented Elite Athlete Development Grants to five up and coming athletes. USATF Foundation Director Tom Jackovic made the announcement on Friday.

The USATF 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 standards to be eligible.

Athletes receiving $3,000 grants include javelin thrower Leigh Smith, Olympic discus thrower Aretha Thurmond, pole vaulter Justin Norberg, 3,000m steeplechaser Brian Olinger and decathlete Ryan Harlan.

A three-time SEC men's javelin throw champion at the University of Tennessee, Leigh Smith finished third at the 2004 Olympic Trials and fourth at the 2005 USA Outdoor Championships. Last summer Smith set a personal best with his winning toss of 82.33 meters/270 feet 1 inch in Rovereto, Italy. He ended the season ranked #4 in the U.S. by Track & Field News.

Aretha Thurmond ended the 2006 campaign ranked #1 in the U.S. in the women's discus by T&FN for the fourth consecutive year. Her season was highlighted by her third career U.S. Outdoor national title and the best throw by an American in 2006 (64.41m/211-4) from her win May 6 in Modesto, Calif.

A finalist in the men's pole vault at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials, Justin Norberg enjoyed his finest season in 2005 highlighted by his fourth-place finish at the USA Outdoor Championships. He ended the season ranked #8 in the U.S. by T&FN.

At his final NCAA Outdoor Championship in 2006, Ohio State University senior Brian Olinger placed fifth in the men's 3,000m steeplechase in 8 minutes 40.58 seconds. Olinger finished the 2006 season ranked #9 nationally in the men's steeplechase by T&FN.

The NCAA Division I decathlon champion for Rice University in 2004, Ryan Harlan finished as the runner-up in that event at the 2006 AT&T USA Outdoor Championships in Indianapolis with a total of 7,872 points. The sixth-place finisher at Talence, France, last September with 8,022 points, Harlan ended the 2006 campaign ranked #3 in the U.S by T&FN.

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 elite athletes and anti-doping education. The Foundation depends on donations from its board of directors and from generous fans of track & field.

The Foundation assists people of all ages, all walks of life, and all ability levels in finding enjoyment and accomplishment and achieving fitness through our inclusive sport.

For more information on the USA Track & Field Foundation and USATF, visit www.usatffoundation.org.