Tianna Bartoletta awarded USATF Athlete of the Week honors after Diamond League victory in Oslo, Norway
INDIANAPOLIS -- Two-time Olympic gold medalist Tianna Bartoletta (Elyria, Ohio) has been awarded this week's USATF Athlete of the Week following her performance in the women's long jump at the Oslo IAAF Diamond League meeting.
After a 2016 season that saw her bring home two Olympic gold medals in the 4x100m relay and the long jump, Bartoletta captured her first win on the Diamond League circuit this season with her fifth-round jump of 6.79m/22' 3 ½" .
Bartoletta is entered in the women's long jump and 100m competitions at this week's USATF Outdoor Championships in Sacramento, California. She enters the meet with marks of 7.17m/23.52 in the long jump and 10.78 seconds in the 100m from 2016. Bartoletta already secured a wildcard spot in the long jump with her World Championships title. In Sacramento, Bartoletta will face the likes of fellow Rio Olympians Brittney Reese (LJ), English Gardner (100m) and Morolake Akinosun (100m).
Other Notable Performances:
Travis Burkstrand (Apple Valley, Minnesota) qualified for USATF Outdoors with his victory in the 1500m at Stumptown Twilight, taking home the win in 3:38.96.
Rio Olympic bronze medalist Kristi Castlin (Douglasville, Georgia) finished second in the 100m hurdles at Oslo Diamond League, registering a season's best of 12.75 to continue her challenge for her first Diamond League hurdle title.
Sydney McLaughlin (Dunellen, New Jersey) completed her high school track career with her fourth consecutive 400m hurdles title at New Balance Outdoor Nationals. McLaughlin finished in 54.22, setting a new meet record. Earlier in the meet, McLaughlin anchored the Swedish relay for Union Catholic, taking them from sixth to first with a 400m split of 49.85. This was recognized as the fastest split ever for a high school female and Union Catholic set a new national high school record of 2:05.93.
Now in its 16th year, USATF's Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on USATF.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
2017 Winners: January 5, Miranda Melville; January 12, Leonard Korir; January 19, Jordan Hasay; January 26, Keni Harrison; February 2, Michael Wardian; February 9, Mikey Brannigan; February 16, Ajee' Wilson; February 23, Kathy Martin; March 2, Keturah Orji; March 9, Noah Lyles; March 16, Christian Walker; March 23, Allen Woodard; March 30, Bob Lida; April 6, Anna Rohrer; April 12, Sydney McLaughlin; April 19, Ben True; April 26, Jordan Hasay; May 3, Clayton Murphy; May 10, Gwen Berry; May 17, Christian Coleman; May 24, Joe Kovacs; May 31, Christian Taylor; June 7, Sydney McLaughlin; June 14, Christian Coleman; Tianna Bartoletta, June 21.
We welcome your nominations!
To nominate an athlete for USATF Athlete of the Week, please send a detailed email about his/her performance to Communications@usatf.org.
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