USA Track & Field Foundation Awards Pitch Johnson Grants to 50 Elite Track & Field Athletes

USA Track & Field Foundation Awards Pitch Johnson Grants to 50 Elite Track & Field Athletes

PITTSBURGH – To put an exclamation point on a record-setting year of grants, the USA Track & Field Foundation is excited to award a final round of grants to elite athletes with the announcement of 50 Pitch Johnson travel grant recipients.  These grants total $75,000 and are funded by the generosity of USATF Foundation Director, Franklin “Pitch” Johnson to honor his late father, also named “Pitch”.  The elder Pitch Johnson was a 110m hurdler and competed in the 1924 Paris Olympic Games.  He was also the track & field and cross-country coach at Drake and Stanford Universities, the Director of the Drake Relays, and a Founder of the National Collegiate Track Coaches Association.

Pitch Johnson and his family are staples in the world of track & field and the USATF Foundation is grateful for their continued support of these dedicated athletes. Reid Johnson, a Foundation Board member himself and son of Pitch Johnson is proud of the family tradition of financially assisting American track & field hopefuls and helping them realize their dreams. “It’s great to see my Dad doing this with the USATF Foundation. He loves the sport and supporting the athletes.” stated Reid Johnson.

The Foundation announced that 50 talented athletes will receive $1,500 each as part of a grant travel program that was created in 2019 by Pitch.  In order to be eligible for a travel grant, athletes are required to submit a grant application through the USATF Foundation website each year. Many professional track and field athletes are faced with out-of-pocket travel costs associated with domestic and international competitions, training camps and injury care. These grants are intended to provide support for travel expenses as athletes often must fly across the country or even overseas to find elite competitions.

The following 50 athletes will receive grant awards in the amount of $1,500 each:

Aaron Mallett 110m Hurdles
Alicia Monson 5000m/10000m
Allie Wilson 800m
Amere Lattin 400m Hurdles
Ashtin Mahler Heptathlon
Brannon Kidder 800m
Bridget Guy Pole Vault
Brittany Brown 200m
Chase Ealey Shot Put
Chris Benard Triple Jump
Curtis Thompson Javelin Throw
Daniel Michalski Steeplechase
Darrell Hill Shot Put
Dez Bryant 200m
Harrison Williams Decathlon
Heather MacLean 1500m
Helen Schlachtenhaufen 1500m
Isaac Updike Steeplechase
Janee’ Kassanavoid Hammer Throw
Jelena Rowe High Jump
Josette Norris 1500m/5000m
Kelsey Card Discus Throw
Kord Ferguson Discus Throw
Lalauga Tausaga Discus Throw
Leah Falland Steeplechase
Malaina Payton Long Jump
Marisa Howard Steeplechase
Marvin Bracy-Williams 100m
Mason Ferlic Steeplechase
Michael Shuey Javelin Throw
Micaela Hazlewood Discus Throw
Michaela Meyer 800m
Michelle Atherley Heptathlon
Molly Seidel Marathon
Morgann LeLeux Romero Pole Vault
Morolake Akinosun 100m
Rachel McCoy High Jump
Sam Mattis Discus Throw
Sam Prakel 1500m
Sean Donnelly Hammer Throw
Shakeela Saunders Long Jump
Shannon Osika 1500m
Shelby McEwen High Jump
Tamara Clark 200m
Tiffany Flynn Long Jump
Tonea Marshall 100m Hurdles
Trey Culver High Jump
Val Constien Steeplechase
Vernon Norwood 400m
Vincent Ciattei 1500m


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.