{{Short description|American track and field athlete (born 2001)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}} {{Use American English|date=August 2024}} {{Infobox sportsperson | name = Jaida Ross | image = Day 9 at the 2024 United States Olympic Trials (track and field) 135 (cropped).jpg | caption = Ross in 2024 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2001|10|29}} | birth_place = Medford, Oregon, U.S. | education = University of Oregon (BA, MEd) | height = 5 ft 7 in | weight = | country = {{USA}} | sport = Athletics (track and field) | event = {{ubl|Shot put|Discus}} | universityteam = Oregon Ducks | turnedpro = April 2025 | coach = Brian Blutreich (2022–present) | highestranking = {{ubl|6th (shot put, 2025)<ref name=":0"/>|66th (discus, 2024)<ref name=":0"/>}} | pb = {{ubl|'''Shot put''': {{T&Fcalc|20.13}} (Eugene, 2025)<ref name=":0"/>|'''Discus''': {{T&Fcalc|59.74}} (Boulder, 2024)<ref name=":0"/>}} | show-medals = | medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Women's athletics}} {{Medal|Country|{{USA}}}} {{Medal|Competition|NACAC U23 Championships}} {{Medal|Gold|2023 San Jose|Shot put}} }}
'''Jaida Ross''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|dʒ|eɪ|d|ə}} {{respell|JAY|də}}; born October 29, 2001)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/athlete/jaida-ross_1965875 |title=ROSS Jaida |work=Paris 2024 Olympics |access-date=13 January 2025 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007130023/https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/athlete/jaida-ross_1965875 |archive-date=October 7, 2024}}</ref> is an American track and field athlete who competes in shot put and discus throw.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=https://worldathletics.org/athletes/united-states/jaida-ross-14850442 |website=World Athletics |access-date=May 24, 2024 |title=Jaida Ross}}</ref> She represented the United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, where she placed fourth in women's shot put, and was the 2024 NCAA Division I champion in the event. Ross was the first collegiate woman to break {{T&Fcalc|20}} in shot put.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Hof-Mahoney |first=Paul |date=June 4, 2024 |title=Catching Up With Shot Put Collegiate Record Holder Jaida Ross |url=https://citiusmag.com/articles/catching-up-with-collegiate-record-holder-jaida-ross |access-date=August 27, 2024 |website=CITIUS Mag |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Clarke |first=Ross |date=May 24, 2024 |title=Medford's Ross breaks own NCAA record |url=https://www.rv-times.com/sports/medfords-ross-breaks-own-ncaa-record/article_7f1e40d4-1a01-11ef-a04e-779879949831.html |access-date=August 27, 2024 |website=Rogue Valley Times |language=en}}</ref>
==Early life and education== Ross was born on October 29, 2001, in Medford, Oregon, to mother Amanda Krug, a mental health professional.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Storm |first=Emily |date=August 5, 2024 |title=Mom invites community to cheer on Jaida Ross |url=https://kobi5.com/news/top-stories/mom-invites-community-to-cheer-on-jaida-ross-243071/ |access-date=August 27, 2024 |website=KOBI-TV NBC5 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Clarke |first=Ryan |date=June 25, 2024 |title=Seeking first Olympics bid, Ross finds her center |url=https://www.rv-times.com/sports/seeking-first-olympics-bid-ross-finds-her-center/article_06097cb8-3383-11ef-954b-2f9b68e806c4.html |access-date=August 27, 2024 |website=Rogue Valley Times |language=en}}</ref> She has a twin sister named Jazzlyn.<ref name=":3">{{cite web |last=Ulmer |first=Jerry |date=May 1, 2020 |title=Girls track: For UO-bound Ross, season was filled with promise |url=https://www.osaa.org/today/article/1668/view |access-date=May 24, 2024 |website=OSAAtoday}}</ref>
Ross graduated from North Medford High School in 2020, where she was one of the top throwers in the country.<ref>{{cite web |last=Denney |first=Jarrid |date=June 9, 2022 |title=Oregon's Jaida Ross becomes All-American, places fifth in shot put at NCAA Championships |url=https://www.on3.com/teams/oregon-ducks/news/oregons-jaida-ross-becomes-all-american-places-fifth-in-shot-put-at-ncaa-championships/ |access-date=May 24, 2024 |website=Scoop Duck}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> She attended the University of Oregon, earning a bachelor's degree in psychology in 2024 and a master's degree in prevention science in 2025, while also competing in shot put and discus for the Oregon Ducks.<ref>{{cite web |last=Clarke |first=Ryan |date=May 24, 2024 |title=Oregon Ducks thrower Jaida Ross breaks own NCAA record in shot put, surpassing 20 meters |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2024/05/oregon-ducks-thrower-jaida-ross-breaks-own-ncaa-record-in-shot-put-surpassing-20-meters.html?outputType=amp |access-date=May 24, 2024 |website=Oregon Live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Elfman |first=Lois |date=2025-06-05 |title=Community Counts, Female Sport Scholar of the Year |url=https://www.diverseeducation.com/home/article/15747385/community-counts-female-sport-scholar-of-the-year |access-date=2025-07-12 |website=Diverse: Issues In Higher Education |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Henry |first=Kris |date=2025-07-08 |title=Medford's Jaida Ross sends powerful message with shot put exploits |url=https://rv-times.com/2025/07/08/medfords-jaida-ross-sends-powerful-message-with-shot-put-exploits/ |access-date=2025-07-12 |website=Rogue Valley Times |language=en}}</ref> She hopes to follow in her mother's steps to work in a helping profession in the future.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shontz |first=Lori |date=June 24, 2024 |title=Oregon's Jaida Ross in Position to 'Shake Things Up' in Women's Shot Put |url=https://www.runnerspace.com/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=44531&do=news&news_id=669260 |access-date=August 27, 2024 |website=DyeStat}}</ref>
==Career==
=== 2020–2025: Collegiate career & Paris Olympics === Despite the cancelation of her senior season at North Medford High School due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Ross embarked on her collegiate career at the University of Oregon, competing in shot put and discus for the Oregon Ducks starting in the 2021 season.<ref name=":1" />
In 2022, Ross placed fifth in shot put at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships with a throw of {{T&Fcalc|17.83}} and 9th in discus with a throw of {{T&Fcalc|53.84}}.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hansen |first=Chris |date=June 5, 2022 |title=Oregon's Jaida Ross, Kemba Nelson shine at NCAA Track & Field Championship |url=https://eu.registerguard.com/story/sports/college/track-field/2022/06/10/oregons-ducks-jaida-ross-kemba-nelson-shine-at-ncaa-womens-track-field-championships-roundup/65360006007/ |access-date=May 24, 2024 |website=The Register-Guard}}</ref>
In July 2023, she beat Jalani Davis to win gold in shot put at the 2023 U23 NACAC Championship with a throw of {{T&Fcalc|18.35}}.<ref>{{cite web |last=Boal |first=Erik |date=July 22, 2023 |title=Cavanaugh's Double, Brahe-Pedersen's Record, 5,000 and Shot Put Sweeps Part of 11 U.S. Golds to Open NACAC U23 Championships |url=https://www.runnerspace.com/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=44531&do=news&news_id=665757 |access-date=May 24, 2024 |website=DyeStat}}</ref>
In April 2024, Ross set a new NCAA record in the women's shot put at the Triton Invitational in La Jolla, California, with a throw of {{T&Fcalc|19.71}}, breaking the record set by Adelaide Aquilla in 2022.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hansen |first=Chris |date=April 7, 2024 |title=Oregon Duck Jaida Ross becomes women's collegiate record holder in the shot put |url=https://www.aol.com/oregon-duck-jaida-ross-becomes-152801751.html |access-date=May 24, 2024 |website=The Register-Guard}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Hansen |first=Chris |date=May 2, 2024 |title=Oregon shot putter Jaida Ross rises to throw farther than anyone in collegiate history |url=https://eu.registerguard.com/story/sports/college/track-field/2024/05/02/oregon-shot-putter-jaida-ross/73527265007/ |access-date=May 24, 2024 |website=The Register-Guard}}</ref> The next month, in May 2024, Ross broke her own NCAA shot put record at the 2024 NCAA Division I West First Rounds, with a throw of {{T&Fcalc|20.01}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.flotrack.org/articles/12571711-jaida-ross-breaks-ncaa-shot-put-record-at-west-regionals |website=Flo Track |access-date=May 24, 2024 |date=May 24, 2024 |title=Jaida Ross Breaks NCAA Shot Put Record At West Regionals |first=Kylie |last=Rodriguez}}</ref> In doing so, she became the first collegiate woman to pass the 20-meter mark in shot put, and just the seventh woman in American history.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dyestat.com/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=44531&do=videos&video_id=392390 |website=Dyestat |access-date=May 24, 2024 |title=Jaida Ross 1st Place Women's Shot Put - Collegiate Record 65-7.75 (20.01 m) - NCAA D1 West Outdoor Preliminary Round 2024 |date=May 24, 2024}}</ref>
Ross was the 2024 NCAA Division I outdoor champion in shot put, with a throw of {{T&Fcalc|19.57}}, and placed second at the indoor championships, with a throw of {{T&Fcalc|18.47}}.<ref name=":0" />
Ross came in third at U.S. Olympic Trials with a throw of {{T&Fcalc|19.60}}, qualifying her for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, alongside teammates Chase Jackson and Raven Saunders.<ref name=":0" /> At the Olympics, she placed fourth in shot put with a throw of {{T&Fcalc|19.28}}.<ref name=":0" />
In her final NCAA competition, Ross placed second at the 2025 Division I Indoor Championships with a throw of {{T&Fcalc|18.98}}, a personal best; Oregon was also the team champion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Event Index: Women Shot Put |url=https://flashresults.ncaa.com/Indoor/2025/031-1_compiled.htm |access-date=March 18, 2025 |website=2025 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships |date=March 16, 2025}}</ref>
=== 2025–present: Professional career === Ross turned pro in April 2025, announcing that month that she had signed with Nike.<ref>{{Cite web |last=@jaida_uothrows |date=April 20, 2025 |title=I’m super excited to announce that I’ve officially signed with @nikerunning… |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DIsGdluzGEf/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== |access-date=April 27, 2025 |website=Instagram}}</ref> She participated in her first Diamond League events that year, taking part in the Xiamen, Shanghai, and Zürich events, and placing third with a personal best of {{T&Fcalc|20.13}} at the 2025 Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://worldathletics.org/competitions/diamond-league/news/chebet-world-5000m-record-eugene-sub-14-prefontaine-classic|website=World Athletics|accessdate=6 July 2025|title= World records for Chebet at 5000m and Kipyegon at 1500m in Eugene|date=5 July 2025}}</ref>
Ross placed fourth at the 2025 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, which earned her a trip to the 2025 World Athletics Championships; USA teammate Chase Jackson placed first, but received a wildcard entry as the reigning world champion, freeing up a spot for Ross in the competition.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.oregonlive.com/trackandfield/2025/08/olympic-gold-medalist-cole-hocker-finishes-third-at-usa-track-championships-2025.html?outputType=amp|website=Oregon Live|accessdate=3 August 2025|title= USA Track & Field Championships 2025: Jonah Koech upsets Cole Hocker in 1,500|date=Aug 2, 2025}}</ref> Ross placed eighth in shot put with a throw of {{T&Fcalc|19.01}} at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://worldathletics.org/competition/calendar-results/results/7190593?eventId=10229530&gender=W |website=World Athletics|accessdate=21 September 2025|title= World Athletics Championships, Tokyo 2025|date=13 Sep 2025}}</ref>
== Personal life == Growing up, Ross looked up to Olympic gold medal shot putter Michelle Carter, saying, "I love what she does for the throws world, I love what she does for the Black community."<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Hansen |first=Chris |date=June 28, 2024 |title=U.S. Olympic Trials Day 8: Oregon star Jaida Ross takes center stage in women's shot put |url=https://www.registerguard.com/story/sports/pro/track-field/2024/06/28/jaida-ross-us-olympic-trials-debut/74214983007/ |access-date=August 27, 2024 |website=The Register-Guard |language=en-US}}</ref> Ross competed alongside Carter at the 2022 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Ross' first championships and Carter's last before retiring from competition.<ref name=":2" />
== Competition history == All results are from [https://worldathletics.org/athletes/united-states/jaida-ross-14850442 World Athletics.]
===International competitions=== {| {{AchievementTable|width=auto|Event=yes|Result=Yes|nation=USA}} |- | 2023 | NACAC U23 Championships | San Jose, Costa Rica | bgcolor=gold|1st | Shot put | {{T&Fcalc|18.35}} |{{n/a}} |- |2024 |Olympic Games |Paris, France |4th |Shot put |{{T&Fcalc|19.28}} |{{n/a}} |- |2025 |World Championships |Tokyo, Japan |8th |Shot put |{{T&Fcalc|19.01}} |{{n/a}} |}
===National competitions=== {| {{AchievementTable|Event=yes|Result=yes}} |- |2022 |USA Championships |Eugene, Oregon |11th |Shot put |{{T&Fcalc|17.31}} |{{n/a}} |- |2023 |USA Championships |Eugene, Oregon |6th |Shot put |{{T&Fcalc|17.82}} |{{n/a}} |- |2024 |United States Olympic Trials |Eugene, Oregon |bgcolor=cc9966|3rd |Shot put |{{T&Fcalc|19.60}} |{{n/a}} |- |2025 |USA Championships |Eugene, Oregon |4th |Shot put |{{T&Fcalc|19.33}} |{{n/a}} |- |}
===NCAA competitions=== {| {{AchievementTable|Event=yes|Result=Yes|caption=Oregon Ducks and University of Oregon}} |- | rowspan=2|2022 | rowspan=2|Division I Championships | rowspan=2|Eugene, Oregon | 5th | Shot put | {{T&Fcalc|17.83}} |{{AthAbbr|SB}} |- | 9th | Discus | {{T&Fcalc|53.84}} |{{n/a}} |- | rowspan=2|2023 | Division I Indoor Championships | Albuquerque, New Mexico | 8th | Shot put | {{T&Fcalc|17.56}} |{{n/a}} |- | Division I Championships | Austin, Texas | 5th | Shot put | {{T&Fcalc|18.11}} |{{n/a}} |- | rowspan=3|2024 | Division I Indoor Championships | Boston, Massachusetts | bgcolor=silver|2nd | Shot put | {{T&Fcalc|18.47}} |{{n/a}} |- | rowspan=2|Division I Championships | rowspan=2|Eugene, Oregon | bgcolor=gold|1st | Shot put | {{T&Fcalc|19.57}} |{{n/a}} |- | 14th | Discus | {{T&Fcalc|54.99}} |{{n/a}} |- |2025 | Division I Indoor Championships | Virginia Beach, Virginia | bgcolor=silver|2nd | Shot put | {{T&Fcalc|18.98}} | {{AthAbbr|PB}} |- |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{World Athletics}} * {{USATF|new_id=jaida-ross}} * {{Team USA|new_id=jaida-ross}} * {{Olympics.com|jaida-ross}}
{{Authority control}} {{Footer USA Track & Field 2024 Summer Olympics}}{{Footer 2025 World Athletics Championships Team USA Track & Field}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Ross, Jaida}} Category:2001 births Category:Living people Category:American women shot putters Category:Olympic track and field athletes for the United States Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2024 Summer Olympics Category:African-American track and field athletes Category:American twins Category:Oregon Ducks women's track and field athletes Category:People from Medford, Oregon Category:Track and field athletes from Oregon Category:21st-century American sportswomen Category:21st-century African-American sportswomen Category:World Athletics Championships athletes for the United States