University of Richmond senior Stuart Terrill never dreamed that his work could affect the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

During his summer internship with USA Track & Field, the national governing body for the sports of track and field and cross-country running, Terrill had the opportunity to collaborate on a high-impact project that could change athletes’ lives.

An award-winning member of the Spider cross-country team, Terrill’s internship was supervised by his coach Steve Taylor, who also chairs USATF’s men’s long-distance running program as part of its national team development committee. To help Taylor expand the program, Terrill took part in developing a document of guidelines to help athletes qualify for the Paris Olympics.

“World Athletics uses a difficult point system, and many athletes have been hurt by the system and failed to qualify for this year’s world championships because they didn’t understand how it works,” Terrill said. “Our goal was to create a way to help USATF athletes better understand it so that they can compete at a higher level.” 

Terrill also created an Instagram account for the men’s long-distance running program so more athletes around the nation can connect on social media. “It’s picked up a decent following,” he said. “A lot of people are using it to get information and see how others are competing.”

As a leadership studies major, Terrill leveraged his Jepson School education to better communicate and network with dozens of program leaders and athletes at USATF and in the field. Having these connections will help him pursue his dream of becoming a collegiate cross-country coach.

“I had the opportunity to talk with some of the best professional track and field athletes and coaches in the country,” he said. “I definitely feel like I’ve got a foot in the door now.”

Terrill will continue to work with USATF on the projects he started over the summer. He expressed his deep gratitude to Richmond Guarantee donors for making the experience possible, specifically the opportunity to attend the 2023 USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix.

“I was only able to afford the trip because of my Richmond Guarantee grant,” he said. “I made so many connections, and it ended up being one of the best experiences of my life. I’m blessed to be at a university that gives students these kinds of opportunities.”