USATF Partners with Wildwood Ranch at USA Outdoor Championships

DES MOINES - U.S. track and field stars Kerron Clement, Natasha Hastings, Ginnie Powell-Crawford and National Track & Field Hall of Famer Dan O'Brien participated Wednesday in a Win With Integrity event at the Wildwood Hills Ranch in St. Charles, Iowa. This special occasion was held in conjunction with the 2010 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, June 23-27 at Drake Stadium on the campus of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

Win With Integrity is a USATF program initiative aimed at educating youth, parents, educators and coaches about the positive results that come from leading a physically active, drug-free lifestyle while living with integrity. A program in which the champions of track and field work directly with young people around the nation, Win With Integrity has evolved from a start-up program in 2004 into one of USATF's most successful initiatives.

Wildwood Hills Ranch is a 400-acre non-profit facility, set in the scenic hills of Madison County, just south of Des Moines. Founded in 2001, the ranch exists to transform lives and strengthen communities by providing healing, hope and unconditional love to children and youth at-risk. Free summer camp and year-round retreats are offered to at-risk children ages 8-18. Kids are immersed in a fun, safe environment where character, leadership and teamwork are modeled and taught.

USATF donated approximately 200 pieces of athletic gear at Wednesday's event that included the entire group of residents. USATF athletes are making individual donations as well, and collection boxes for monetary donations will be located in all USATF merchandise areas during the championships at Drake Stadium.

The partnership between the two groups will continue on Thursday, April 24 when 50 young people and counselors from Wildwood Hills Ranch will come to Drake Stadium's Track Central USA Fan Zone to participate in a second Win with Integrity event, and will attend the Championships that day as guests of USA Track & Field.

For more information on Wildwood Hills Ranch, visit: www.wildwoodhillsranch.com

For more information on USA Track & Field's Win With Integrity program and the 2010 USA Outdoor Championships in Des Moines, visit: www.usatf.org.