UO release – The Medford, Ore., native becomes the second winner (Brianne Theisen) in program history. EUGENE, Ore. – Powered by her record-breaking season, Jaida Ross has been named the 2024 U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Association (USTFCCCA) National Women’s Field Athlete of the Year. During the historic outdoor campaign, Ross broke the collegiate record in the shot put and became the first UO woman to win an NCAA title in the shot put. With Monday’s announcement, Ross joins Brianne Theisen (2010, ’12) as the two Oregon women to win National Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year. In 2017, Raevyn Rogers won national track accolades. Ross broke the collegiate record—for a second time—with her toss of 20.01m/65-7.75 during the NCAA West Preliminary (May 23) in Fayetteville, Ark. With the measure, she became the first collegian and just the seventh American woman ever over 20 meters. Ross first broke the record with her 19.71m/64-8 at the Triton Invitational (April 6), a performance she equaled three weeks later at the Desert Heat Classic. The Medford, Ore., native owns four of the top five throws in collegiate history including her final mark of 19.57m/64-2.5 at the NCAA Championships at Hayward Field. All six of Ross’ throws were far enough to win the competition. Ross was previously named the USTFCCCA West Region and Pac-12 Women’s Field Athlete of the Year. At the conference meet, Ross swept the shot put and discus titles. She won the latter with a personal-best effort of 59.74m/196-0 to move to No. 2 in Oregon history trailing only former teammate Jorinde Van Klinken.
