EUGENE, Ore. — Oregon Ducks thrower Jaida Ross will compete for the first time on the Olympic stage. She qualified for the Paris Olympics after throwing 19.60 meters in the women's shot put final at the U.S. Track and Field trials in Eugene on Saturday.

With a record-breaking collegiate season, Ross entered the trials as one of the top contenders in women's shot put. She is the NACAC U23 champion in the shot put, having won the competition last summer.

She was the first woman at the University of Oregon to win an NCAA title in the shot put after breaking the collegiate record with a throw of 65 feet, 7 3/4 inches. Ross is also the third Oregon champion in the event overall. 

On Monday, she became the fifth Oregon woman to be named a finalist for The Bowerman, which is awarded to the top collegiate track and field athlete. Ross was also recently the national women's field athlete of the year by the U.S. Track and Field Cross Country Coaches' Association.

Ross attended North Medford High School before committing to Oregon.

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