USATF Foundation awards Elite Athlete Development Grants to 12 athletes

INDIANAPOLIS - The USA Track & Field Foundation has presented Elite Athlete Development Grants to twelve athletes, Foundation Executive Director Tom Jackovic and Chairman Bob Greifeld announced today.

Athletes receiving $4000 grants include first time grantees Kylie Hutson (pole vault), Keisha Baker (400 meters), Lance Brooks (discus throw), Mary Saxer (pole vault), Joe Kindred (high jump), Erica McClain (triple jump), Kibwe Johnson (hammer throw), Ian Waltz (discus throw), Mechelle Lewis (100 meters) and Brenda Martinez (800/1500 meters).

Kylie had a stellar NCAA career, winning the indoor and outdoor National Championships in both 2009 & 2010. Keisha was runner-up in the open 400 meters and took gold in the 4x400 meters at the 2010 NCAA Indoor Champs. At the 2010 Outdoor Championships, Lance Brooks placed 10th, while Ian Waltz, a 3-time USA Champion, was also the 2008 Olympic Trials Champion. Mary won a bronze medal at the 2010 Outdoor National Championships, Joe Kindred took 1st at the California Relays earlier this year and Erica McClain is the 2010 USA Outdoor National Champion and 2009 runner-up. Kibwe was recently named USATF's "Athlete of the Week" for his 1st place at 2010 DecaNation in Annecy, France, and Mechelle, a member of Athletes for Hope, was a 2008 US Olympian and 2007 Pan-Am Games double silver medalist. Brenda is a versatile (800m/1500m) 2-time All-American from the University of California Riverside and a finalist at this year’s NCAA Outdoor National Championships. In 2009, she was the 1500 meter runner-up at the NCAA Outdoor National Championships and an 800 meter finalist at the USA Outdoor National Championships. During the summer of 2009, she took wins at several European meetings: Brasschaat, Belgium (800m/2:00.86), Ghent, Belgium (1500/4:09.52) and Liege, Belgium (800m/2:01.03).

Repeat grantees receiving $4000 grants include Melinda Owen (pole vault) and Keith Moffatt (high jump).

Melinda was a 2008 Olympic Trials finalist and won the 2010 Osaka Grand Prix. Keith was runner-up at the 2009 Outdoor National Championships and represented the USA at the World Championships in Berlin.

"Every one of these grantees has a compelling story," noted Jackovic. There are athletes just starting out and a couple making comebacks. We are excited to help so many pursue their dreams.”

The 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 and financial need standards to be eligible and agree to participate in the Win With Integrity program.

The USATF Foundation provides a means to attract and guide funds to new and innovative track & field programs with an emphasis on providing opportunities for youth athletes, emerging elite athletes, distance training centers and anti-doping education. The Foundation depends upon donations from its Board of Directors and from generous fans of track & field. 

For more information or to contribute to the USA Track & Field Foundation, visit www.usatffoundation.org.