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INDIANAPOLIS - Up and coming women's hammer thrower Loree Smith has been
named a recipient of a USA Track & Field Foundation Elite Athlete Grant.
USATF Foundation Executive Director Tom Jackovic made the announcement
on Thursday.
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 standards and compete
in financially under-supported events.
A three-time Mountain West Conference hammer throw champion while at
Colorado State University, in her senior year Loree Smith won the 2005
NCAA title and finished fourth that year at the USA Outdoor
Championships in Carson, California, where she threw 67.12 meters/220
feet, 2 inches on her final throw.
As a collegiate junior in 2004, Smith finished ninth at the Olympic
Trials and won the women's hammer gold medal the North American-Central
American Championships. Smith placed fourth at the 2006 AT&T USA Outdoor
Championships in Indianapolis with a best throw of 67.18 meters/220
feet, 5 inches.
"I'm grateful to the USATF Foundation for choosing me to receive this
grant," Smith said. "Please know this gift is greatly appreciated and
will make a difference in this athlete's career. I've always felt that I
have the tools needed to be an Olympic medalist, and the USATF
Foundation's generosity contributes greatly towards that goal."
The USATF Foundation provides a means to attract and guide funds to new
and innovative track and field programs in a variety of areas, most
notably providing opportunities for youth athletes, emerging elite
athletes and anti-doping education. The Foundation depends on donations
from its board of directors and from generous fans of track & field.
The Foundation assists people of all ages, all walks of life, and all
ability levels in finding enjoyment and accomplishment and achieving
fitness through our inclusive sport.
For more information on the USA Track & Field Foundation, visit:
USATF.org.
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