Interview by Parker Neumeier, Journalism Student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison 

Meet Laulauga Tausaga-Collins, the first American ever to become a world champion in women’s discus: a Marvel movie nerd, Twilight Team Edward loyalist and Jeep off-roading enthusiast. 

Introduction to Track & Field 

With Samoan roots, Tausaga-Collins was born in Honolulu and grew up in San Diego. As a kid, she laughed, recalling how she was “forced” to play sports by her mom. 

“You’re a tall girl. Go do basketball,” her mom told her. 

But her basketball coaches said she needed more speed. When track season came around in high school, she initially said “heck no” to running. Then she learned she could “throw a ball and be on varsity.” She was sold. That marked the beginning of her discus career. 

High School and Beyond 

Before long, it was time to think about life after high school. Tausaga-Collins had always planned on joining the military. She comes from a military family: her mom and younger brother are in the Navy, her sister married someone in the Navy, and her dad served in the Army. The military felt like the logical next step. 

That changed when her school counselor called her in after colleges began inquiring about her talent. The counselor told her she had a real opportunity to pursue throwing in college — if she raised her grades. 

Tausaga-Collins ended up retaking freshman-year classes as a senior after encouragement from her counselor, who was determined to make sure she didn’t miss her opportunity. 

When Tausaga-Collins asked why she was going to such lengths to help, her counselor responded: 

“I see it. I don’t want to see another one slip through the cracks.” 

That belief became the push she needed. Eventually, she received a call from the University of Iowa. 

At first, she was hesitant. She loved being close to family and laughed remembering that she wasn’t even sure where Iowa was at the time. But during her visit, she met another Samoan student — who turned out to be her cousin. That connection provided just enough of a sense of home. 

The Sign That Sealed Her College Decision 

Though she still wasn’t entirely sold on Iowa and remained set on West Point, something unexpected happened. 

After returning home, she randomly pulled out a gray T-shirt with pink lettering that read: Iowa Hawkeyes. 

She saw it as a sign. 

“Hyperventilating… I told my mom, ‘This is it.’” 

She liked the coach. She liked the idea of cold weather as a change from sunny California. She even joked that her “biggest dream was to get caught in a blizzard.” 

Iowa it was. 

Continued Support Through Adversity 

After committing to college, the road to becoming a professional athlete required ongoing support from those closest to her. Training for elite competitions while balancing college isn’t cheap. 

“It’s expensive to be an athlete, especially when you’re not in the top 1%,” she said. 

Fortunately, her close-knit family stepped up. Her sister, who works for Hawaiian Airlines, helped her find discounted flights for competitions. Her mom runs a food distribution organization that expanded to help fuel athletes, knowing how difficult it can be to meet protein goals on a college budget.  

Before she could afford her own car, her family helped her get to practice — whether that meant rides, taking time off work or helping cover Uber costs. At the same time, Tausaga-Collins balanced school, training and work. She DoorDashed and picked up odd jobs to make ends meet during one of the busiest seasons of her life. 

The First American Woman to Win It 

At the 2023 World Championships in Budapest Tausaga-Collins started in last place, admitting she just wanted to finish 11th instead of 12th. 

Then something clicked. 

“Uh-uh. We’re not gonna lay down,” she told herself. 

This was her third World Championships appearance. In 2019, she said she “laid down,” chalking it up to being young and scared. In 2022, she blamed nerves in her first professional year.  

In 2023, she made herself a promise: 

“I’ll be damned if I get anything other than 11th or up.” 

From there, it was “all gas, no brakes.” 

Her third throw guaranteed she would move up from last place. That was all she needed. The fire was lit, and the floodgates opened. 

Tausaga-Collins climbed her way back to win the world championship title in women’s discus, becoming the first American woman ever to do so. 

In that moment, she said, “track went from being this job to being the sport that I loved again.” 

What Saved Her From Quitting 

After becoming a world champion, Laulauga Tausaga-Collins faced a stunning setback when she was eliminated in the opening round of the women’s discus at the U.S. Olympic Trials after fouling three times. The grind of elite competition eventually became overwhelming. At one point, she questioned whether continuing was worth it. 

Coming off one of the lowest moments of her athletic career, she feared she wouldn’t receive the funding necessary to keep training because of her performance. She was close to walking away from the sport entirely. 

Then she received an Elite Athlete Development grant from the USATF Foundation. In fact, the Foundation had been supporting her journey for the past four years, awarding her Stephen A. Schwarzman and Elite Athlete Development grants annually since 2020. 

That funding carried her through the 2025 season—one of the strongest of her career. 

“That saved me from quitting the sport,” she said. 

Her Future 

Now, she says, “it’s time to have fun” and see how far she can go. 

Her sights are set on competing for Team USA at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics — and making the final on home soil in California. 

Eventually, she hopes to follow what she calls the “athlete-to-coach pipeline” at the NCAA level. Currently, she coaches at Cuyamaca Community College, where she’s passionate about identifying “diamonds in the rough” and helping mold them into competitors. 

As a coach, she draws from the philosophies of her own mentors and invests deeply in the next generation — just as others once invested in her. 

How She Wants to Be Remembered 

When asked what she wants her legacy to be, Tausaga-Collins doesn’t mention medals. 

She mentions her voice. 

“I have this habit of sitting down with a group of people and just… yapping,” she said with a laugh. 

She loves making people laugh and values her ability to connect with anyone, anywhere. Making people feel seen is what matters most to her. 

For Laulauga Tausaga-Collins, the sky’s the limit. The best may still be ahead — not just as an athlete, but as a coach, mentor and voice in the sport she loves. 

PITTSBURGH, PA — Steve Gerhart, a retired sales, operations, and human resources executive with a distinguished career in the healthcare sector, is joining the USATF Foundation Board of Directors. Gerhart brings decades of leadership experience, a passion for mentorship, and a lifelong connection to track and field to the Foundation.

A standout middle-distance runner, Gerhart won the NCAA Division II 1500m national championship in 1986 while representing the University of California, Davis. He continues to hold the UC Davis school record in the 1500m, a mark that has stood for more than four decades.

Throughout his professional career, Gerhart focused on leadership development, communication, and building high-performing teams. Four of the companies he worked for were successfully acquired as growth targets by larger organizations.

Gerhart is currently dedicated to mentoring individuals, developing commercial teams, and giving back. This commitment is deeply rooted in the support and mentorship he received during both his running and business journeys.

“Steve has a history of making significant contributions to non-profits and we look forward to his impact on track & field,” said USATF Foundation CEO Tom Jackovic.

PITTSBURGH, PA — Terry Coyne, Chief Financial Officer of Royalty Pharma and a lifelong runner, has been appointed to the USATF Foundation Board of Directors. A dedicated supporter of track and field, Coyne brings both a deep personal connection to the sport and extensive financial leadership experience to the Foundation.

Coyne is a graduate of La Salle University, where he competed on the track and cross-country teams and earned all-conference honors multiple times throughout his collegiate career. His passion for running has remained a constant thread in his life, shaping both his personal values and professional approach.

“Running has played a fundamental role in shaping who I am today,” said Coyne. “I am excited to give back to the sport that has given me so much.”

In addition to his role at Royalty Pharma, Coyne serves on the Board of Trustees at La Salle University, further demonstrating his commitment to leadership, education, and service. His financial expertise and lifelong engagement with the sport will be valuable assets as the USATF Foundation continues its mission to support athletes and advance track and field nationwide.

PITTSBURGH, PA — As 2026 begins, the USA Track & Field Foundation proudly reflects on a year defined by exceptional support, competitive excellence, and meaningful impact across various levels of the sport. In its 20th year of awarding financial assistance to Olympic-hopeful track and field athletes, the Foundation continued its mission of raising money and giving it directly to athletes, strengthening the pipeline from youth athletes to elite athletes to master’s athletes. 

In 2025, the Foundation awarded $3.65 million in Stephen A. Schwarzman Grants to 100 of the nation’s top elite athletes. 65 athletes received $40,000 grants, while an additional 35 athletes were awarded $30,000 grants, marking one of the most substantial years of elite athlete investment in Foundation history. Complementing this support, the Foundation awarded a total of $750,000 in Elite Athlete Development Grants. 45 athletes received $15,000 grants, and 15 athletes received $5,000 grants, supporting professional athletes as they continue to work towards chasing their dreams.

The 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo showcased extraordinary performances by Team USA, highlighted by 1 world record, 9 area records, 9 championship records, and 62 national records across the weeklong competition. USATF Foundation grantees earned a combined 23 gold, 9 silver and 4 bronze medals.  

The Foundation’s commitment to youth development continued to grow in 2025, with $102,550 awarded to 46 youth clubs across the country. These grants support programs that foster athletic development, character building, education, and personal growth. 

Elite athlete engagement with youth clubs continued to grow through Run With US! events, including appearances by Jess McClain, Parker Valby, Emily Mackay, Abdihamid Nur, Krissy Gear, Caleb Dean, Raevyn Rogers, Alaysha Johnson, and Samirah Moody. By connecting elite athletes directly with youth clubs, the Foundation continues to make professional track and field success feel tangible and attainable to kids that have dreams of competing collegiately or for Team USA.  

The Foundation continued its leadership in supporting athlete-mothers by awarding $25,000 in Maternity Grants to Tristin Colley, Whittni Morgan, Betsy Saina, Elle St. Pierre, Amy Davis-Green, and Marisa Howard.  

In partnership with the USATF Masters Track & Field Committee, the Foundation launched the Nationals Masters Travel Grant Program, a new initiative designed to expand access to national-level competition for Masters athletes. The program provides financial assistance to help eligible athletes compete at the USATF National Indoor and Outdoor Championships, reducing financial barriers and enabling more athletes to continue competing and inspiring across generations. 

The Foundation was also proud to reveal 3 new grant programs in 2025. The Michael Venning Hammer Grant was awarded to Emma Robbins, with an aim to help an aspiring NCAA graduate make a start in the professional world of track & field while also honoring Michael Venning. Similarly, the first Dirk Rohloff 800m/1500m Grant was awarded to Abel Teffra in an effort to carry on the love and pride Rohloff had for the middle distance events.  Lastly, the Jump to Glory Fund was created to support both vertical and horizontal jump events, which are typically limited in competition and prize money opportunities. Inaugural grants for this program are set to be awarded in 2026.

The USATF Foundation extends its deepest gratitude to its Board of Directors, donors, athletes, and supporters for making 2025 a year of extraordinary impact. As the Foundation looks toward the future, it remains committed to supporting USA Track & Field at every level. 

PITTSBURGH, PA — For elite marathoner Tristin Colley, pregnancy does not mark a pause in ambition, it marks a new chapter. As she prepares to welcome her first child in April 2026, the USATF Foundation has awarded Colley a Maternity Grant, providing critical support during a period when professional athletes are too often left without resources, stability or security.  

PITTSBURGH, PA — The USATF Foundation is proud to announce that professional distance runner Whittni Morgan has been awarded a Maternity Grant in recognition of her dedication to both her athletic career and growing family.

Whittni Morgan, one of the nation’s top distance runners, has been a consistent force on the professional circuit, representing Team USA at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and the 2025 World Indoor Championships in China where she placed fourth in the 3000m.

Prior to going pro, Morgan competed for the BYU Cougars, earning 10 All-American honors and winning the 2021 NCAA Cross Country Championship individual title. A standout from an early age, she was named Utah’s 2016 Female Athlete of the Year after winning four Utah High School 1A individual cross country state championships.

“Thank you USATF Foundation for being a constant support to athletes whether competing on the track or building a family. Your funds and support help make success in both possible and I am so grateful!” said Morgan.

The Foundation’s Maternity Grant initiative aims to remove barriers that too often force women to step away from competition during and after pregnancy. By offering direct financial assistance, the program supports a smoother transition back to training and competition for elite athletes balancing motherhood and sport.