Whatever nerves Jaida Ross had when she first stepped into the shot put ring Friday night, they were gone by the time she returned for a second throw.
And two throws is all it took for the Oregon senior to advance to Saturday’s 5:50 p.m. finals on what will be the penultimate day of the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials at Hayward Field.
Ross threw 61 feet, 4¼ inches on her first attempt then followed with a throw of 63-10¼ to finish third in the qualifying rounds and make the 12-woman final.
“I felt good today but a little nervous on the first throw,” Ross said. “I focused in a little more and got that second throw out.”
With a spot in the finals secure, Ross passed on her final attempt, though she was more than ready to take another throw.
“It’s a little surreal but I trust my coach,” she said. “If he says pass, we pass. Obviously I’m really competitive, I wanted that third throw. … Saving it for tomorrow. Trust the coach, listen to the man, so yeah, it feels good.”
Finishing ahead of Ross were Chase Jackson (64-6) and Raven Saunders (64-1¼). Only two others threw past 60 feet — Adelaide Aquilla (63-2) and Maggie Ewen (60-9¼).
“These are elite shot putters,” Ross said. “I don’t underestimate any of these women. You have to be your best if you want to be with the best. I know that in the back of my mind so you’ve got to focus up a little bit and not let the nerves get the best of me tomorrow.”
Ross has shown an ability to do that already this season as she won the NCAA outdoor title in the June and twice this spring set the collegiate record.
“I’m feeling probably the most explosive I’ve been all year, and this is the strongest I’ve been ever,” Ross said. “… Tomorrow’s a big day and I expect the best out of me and I hope everybody else does, too.”
Follow Chris Hansen on X@chansen_RG or email atchansen@registerguard.com.
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