PITTSBURGH, PA — The USATF Foundation is proud to announce that professional middle-distance runner Krissy Gear has been awarded a $15,000 Adopt an Athlete Grant.  

Gear has had an outstanding 2025 season, highlighted by her gold medal at the NACAC Championships, where she claimed the 3000m steeplechase title. She also captured the national title at the USATF 1 Mile Road Championships clocking in 4:23.98, setting a new women’s U.S. road mile record.

Gear began her collegiate career at Furman University, where she set an indoor school record in the 800m with a time of 2:07.14 and was named the Southern Conference Indoor Freshman of the Year in 2018. That same year, she represented the U.S. at the World U20 Championships in Tampere, Finland, finishing 10th in the 3000m steeplechase with a time of 10:00.99, after winning the USA U20 Championship earlier that season to qualify for the event.

She later transferred to the University of Arkansas, where she became a standout NCAA runner — a four-time All-American, SEC Champion, and the school record holder in the indoor mile with a time of 4:31.83 set in 2021. Gear also set the Arkansas and SEC meet records in the 3000m steeplechase at the 2021 SEC Championships, running 9:38.62 to win the conference title. She captured multiple SEC gold medals, including the 3000m steeplechase in 2021 and the distance medley relay in 2020 and 2021.

In her first year as a professional athlete in 2023, she became the U.S. national champion in the 3000m steeplechase, continuing to build on an already remarkable career. This victory earned her a spot on Team USA for the World Championships in Budapest.

“I am always in awe at how every time I question myself — my abilities or decision to dedicate myself to this sport — someone or something always comes around to remind me that it’s exactly where I’m supposed to be right now,” said Gear. “I know I am a small part working toward something much larger than myself, but the support I feel with this grant reminds me I am doing more than I think and my job is not finished. The generosity of the people who believe in me inspires and enables me to pay it forward in whatever sort of way I can. I intend to do just that: use this grant toward becoming the best version of myself and helping others do the same. It’s definitely surreal to feel appreciated and seen by the very people you admire. I know I am wildly fortunate to be seen, supported, and inspired by such remarkable people in my life. Thank you USATF Foundation.”

The USATF Foundation Adopt an Athlete Program connects elite U.S. track & field athletes with passionate fans who help cover essential training and competition expenses. Through this program, the Foundation provides critical support to athletes as they chase national titles, records, and global success.

PITTSBURGH, PA — The USATF Foundation, in partnership with the USATF Masters Track & Field Committee, are excited to announce the launch of the Nationals Masters Travel Grant Program, a new initiative designed to expand access to national-level competition for Masters track and field athletes. 

The USATF Foundation Nationals Masters Travel Grants provide financial assistance to help eligible Masters athletes compete at the USATF National Indoor and Outdoor Championships. Grants are awarded based on financial need and are targeted toward athletes who have achieved a top 50 World Masters Ranking (WMR) within the past two years. 

The program aims to expand access to national-level competition and support talented athletes to continue to compete and inspire. By reducing financial barriers, the initiative empowers more Masters athletes to represent themselves at championship events across the country. 

To qualify, applicants must meet the following criteria: 

• Masters Athlete: Must be competing in the USATF National Indoor or Outdoor Championships 

• Ranking: Must hold a Top 50 ranking on the World Masters Rankings (WMR) for their event 

• Financial Need: Must have an annual income below $50,000 (including Social Security); unemployed or retired athletes are especially encouraged to apply 

The USATF Masters Nationals Travel Grant Board will oversee all the applications, and will review and make recommendations on award decisions to the USATF Foundation. Grants of up to $500—and in exceptional cases, up to $1,000 (subject to board approval)—will be distributed annually to eligible athletes. 

Applications for the 2026 Nationals Masters Travel Grant Program are now open. For more information or to apply, visit our website. 

PITTSBURGH, PA — The USATF Foundation is proud to announce that Emma Robbins, an elite hammer and weight thrower, is the first recipient of the Michael Venning Hammer Grant.

Michael Venning was a lifelong fan, athlete and student of the sport of track and field. Michael competed in many disciplines both on the track and in the field. He found his passion for the hammer throw later in life and became an accomplished Masters hammer thrower. Michael regularly threw at the World Masters meet and even made the podium a few times. If Michael wasn’t throwing, you could usually catch him watching a track meet. He was a regular attendee at USATF national, NCAA’s and Olympic Trials.

“We are so pleased that The USATF Foundation has found a way that friends and family of Track & Field fans like Michael Venning can take their spirit and pass it to the next generation of American talent,” said USATF Foundation Board Member Joe Fabris.

In his spirit, the Michael Venning Hammer Grant is aimed at helping an aspiring NCAA graduate get their start as a professional and hopefully represent the USA at the highest level of sport. Emma Robbins has built an impressive collegiate career excelling in both the hammer and weight throw. During her time at Kansas State, she was a three-time Big 12 runner-up in the hammer and weight throws. In her final season at Kansas State in 2023, Robbins broke the school’s hammer throw record and earned a fourth-place finish at the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Championships, with a throw of 69.89 m.

Prior to her time at Kansas State, Robbins competed for LSU, where she achieved historic success in the hammer throw. In 2021, she became the first woman in LSU history to win the SEC hammer throw title, setting a school record toss of 67.17 m. She also qualified for the 2021 NCAA Outdoor Championships that year.

Robbins has continued her trajectory of excellence. In her 2023 season, she was named a First-Team All-American for the first time after her fourth-place national finish at the NCAA meet. Most recently, in her final season competing at the collegiate level for Oklahoma State University, Robbins again placed fourth at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, threw a new mark of 69.27 m on her first attempt, and earned First-Team All-America honors for the second time. During that season she also established school records in both the hammer and weight throw and was a runner-up in both events at the Big 12 Championships.

“I’m incredibly honored to receive the Michael Venning Hammer Grant from the USATF Foundation. This support means so much as I take the next step in my professional career. I’m grateful for the Foundation and to the Michael Venning’s family and friends for recognizing athletes like me who are working toward representing Team USA at the highest level,” said Robbins.

PITTSBURGH, PA — The USATF Foundation is excited to announce the creation of the Jump to Glory Fund, a new initiative designed to elevate American performances in both the vertical and horizontal jump events on the world stage. The program was conceived by Foundation Board Member and former University of Chicago long jumper, Henry Park.

“I grew up in the golden era of USA jumping in the 80’s and the 90’s where the likes of Carl Lewis flew through the air. I am passionate about jumping and I would like to help these athletes continue and get to prominence in the events that the US once dominated,” said Henry Park.

The Jump to Glory Fund will provide supplemental grants to elite athletes who compete in high jump, long jump, triple jump and pole vault, modeled on the success of the Foundation’s Operation Hammer Sweep, which has contributed to a surge of U.S. medal-winning performances in the hammer throw over the past five years. Like hammer throwers, jump athletes often face limited competitive opportunities and prize money, making additional support essential to their development and training.

“As a former world-record holder in the triple jump, my passion and perspective lie deep in the art and athleticism of the jumps. I believe wholeheartedly that jump events deserve an institutional support program — one that provides sustained resources, recognition, and opportunity. By building the Jump to Glory Fund within the USATF Foundation, we can reinvigorate depth and excellence in the horizontal and vertical events and restore America’s dominance in the field,” said Olympian and Board Member Willie Banks.

To contribute to the Jump to Glory Fund, please visit USATFFoundation.org.

PITTSBURGH, PA — The USATF Foundation crossed over into the world of golf last month by showcasing some of its prominent stars at the LPGA Commissioner’s Reception during the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship.  The event was presented by P&G and hosted by Rapiscan Systems and Chief Strategy Officer Ted Alston.

Three Foundation grantees — Joe Kovacs, Trevor Bassitt, and Krissy Gear — along with Board Member proxy Rebecca Mehra, attended the event, which also featured a USATF Foundation Fun Run. The evening celebrated community, athletic excellence, and the shared mission of supporting athletes both on and off the field.

The USATF Foundation extends its heartfelt thanks to Rapiscan Systems and Chief Strategy Officer Ted Alston for hosting the USATF Foundation Fun Run and LGPA Commissioner’s Reception at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G.

Special appreciation goes to Craig Kessler, LPGA Commissioner, for his partnership and vision, and to Courtney Naudo and the Walmart team for their outstanding community leadership. Sincere thanks also to Andy Bush, Founding Partner of Outlyr, for producing a world-class event that celebrates both athletic excellence and has a meaningful impact.

The Foundation extends its deep gratitude to the LPGA, Outlyr, and Walmart for their continued commitment to empowering athletes and creating experiences that inspire and uplift the next generation of champions.

PITTSBURGH, PA — The USATF Foundation proudly announces that Abel Teffra, a rising middle-distance talent, has been awarded the Dirk Rohloff 800m/1500m Grant, established in honor of lifelong track and field supporter Dirk Rohloff.

Since junior high school, Dirk Rohloff was known for his exceptional speed and passion for running. Focusing on the middle distances, he proudly considered himself  “a miler.” Dirk ran competitively as an NCAA athlete at UC Davis and maintained his love for the sport throughout his life. He attended USATF National Championships and Olympic Trials events across the country, and he made it a tradition to visit Hayward Field almost every year.

In his spirit, the Dirk Rohloff 800m/1500m Grant aims to help an aspiring NCAA graduate transition into the professional ranks and pursue the opportunity to represent the United States at the highest level of sport.

As this year’s grantee, Abel Teffra, a recent Georgetown University graduate, set an NCAA meet record with his 3:53.60 mile at the 2025 Indoor Championships. Teffra is continuing his academic journey in the Master of Professional Studies in Project Management program while training under Georgetown head coach Brandon Bonsey, following his recent signing with HOKA. The Foundation is proud to support his continued development as he embarks on his professional career.

“I’m very grateful to the USATF Foundation and the family and friends of Dirk Rohloff for this grant and for believing in my journey. It’s an honor to represent Dirk’s passion for the middle distances and the sport he loved deeply,” said Abel. “This grant motivates me to keep striving for excellence and to honor Dirk’s legacy as I pursue my professional running goals.”