INDIANAPOLIS - The USA Track & Field Foundation, in coordination with the Harold Connolly Youth Hammer Throw Fund, awarded thirteen youth hammer throwers with training grants for the 2013 season announced Foundation Executive Director Tom Jackovic and Chairman Bob Greifeld today.

Eight boys and five girls have been named among this year’s recipients. To be considered, athletes must go through a vigorous application process, which includes biographical information, training history, competitive statistical data, a brief essay describing his/her hammer throwing goals, and a letter of support from the applicant’s coach and parent. All applicants must have been born after January 1, 1995.

Grant funds may only be used for specific hammer throw training and competition purposes. These grants are made possible through the support of the USATF Foundation and individual donors.

Youth Boys:

• Gabe Arcaro, Age 17, Burlington, MA (PB/189’3”)
• Jacob Beene, Age 16, Gilbert, AZ (PB/180’1”)
• Chase Carroll, Age 18, Acworth, GA (PB/184’10”)
• Conor Fugere, Age 16, Woonsocket, RI (PB/177’9”)
• Charlie Ionata, Age 18, Barrington, RI (PB/216’1”)
• Adam Kelly, Age 15, Barrington, RI (PB/168’7”)
• Triton Pitassi, Age 17, Camas, WA (PB/193’2”)
• Sean Ryan, Age 16, Babylon, NY (PB/181’7”)

Youth Girls:

• Danielle Boriello, Age 17, Ellenville, NY (PB/143’5”)
• Lena Giger, Age 16, Highland, IL (PB/141’7”)
• Haley Showalter, Age 15, Highlands Ranch, CO (PB/151’0”)
• Kelli Thomas, Age 17, Locust Grove, GA (PB/156’2”)
• Sidnie Wilder, Age 17, Cameron, WI (PB/166’4”)

Former Olympic gold medalist Harold Connolly began issuing grants in 2005 and during the last 8 seasons, more than $32,000 have been awarded to 32 boys and 32 girls. The USATF Foundation began supporting the project before the 2012 season, allowing the project to both continue and expand in the wake of Connolly's untimely death in 2010. For more information about the hammer throw, Harold Connolly, or the Youth Hammer Grants, visit www.hammerthrow.org.

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, distance training centers and anti-doping education. 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 & jobs) and participation in Run With US! (www.rwus-now.org). Youth athletes are supported via monetary grants to youth clubs.

For more information, or to contribute to the USA Track & Field Foundation, visit www.usatffoundation.org or contact Tom Jackovic at (412) 398-2484 or [email protected].