Oregon’s Jaida Ross finishes second in the Pac-12 Championship shot put, breaking the school record with her first attempt throw of 17.55m (57-7). Photo by Logan Hannigan-Downs

By Cassie Cole

The shot put may be an individual event, but the theme for the Pac-12 competition this year was teamwork. The women’s and men’s shot put were held Saturday afternoon at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon.

An Oregon record falls

Arizona State’s Jorinde Van Klinken took first place with a throw of 18.31m (60-1). The Dutch thrower competed in the discus at the Tokyo Olympics last year and will also be competing in the discus event on Sunday.

Jaida Ross of Oregon threw a school record of 17.55m (57-7) to come in second place. For Ross, breaking the school record was the most important achievement of her Saturday performance.

“Even when I was getting recruited, I was like, ‘I wanna go to Oregon and I wanna be one of the best to walk on here, I want to be a part of that,’” said Ross. She may have achieved her goal, but Ross believes there’s more to come.

“It just feels like a process, and it’s been building and building,” said Ross about her training. “I’m feeling a peak coming.”

Ross’ training has been elevated by teammate Mine De Klerk, who came fourth in the shot put with a throw of 16.98m (55-8.5). The two athletes pushed each other to improve during training and Ross is excited for the friendly competition between them.

“I have an amazing teammate right behind me. She’s gonna push me and she’s gonna beat me one day,” said Ross. Although she’s happy about her school record, Ross acknowledged that it may be broken again. “It’s a competition and it’s a happy competition and I can’t wait for it.”

“Everybody wants to, like, ‘we hate each other’ or something like that—we love each other! And I’m cheering her on and I’m right behind her every time,” Ross added.

Cal’s Josh Johnson earned his spot atop the podium with his 19.95m (65-5.5) put on day 2 of the Pac-12 Championships. Photo by Logan Hannigan-Downs

Team victories

Ross wasn’t the only shot putter to credit her success to teammate competition. Cal’s Josh Johnson, winner of the men’s shot put, also discussed the impact of his team. Johnson’s winning throw of 19.95m (65-5.5) was a personal best for the Golden Bear.

“They push me every day to just be the best I can be and I hope I do the same for them,” said Johnson. “It’s honestly, like, the best group in the country, I’m not gonna lie.”

Johnson explained that his teammates made Cal “an amazing environment to train in,” highlighting teammates like Camryn Rogers, who came first in the women’s hammer throw, and Jeff Duensing, who took third in the men’s shot put.

“I feel like you need that camaraderie, that family, if you want to do great things as a team,” said Johnson.

Looking forward

The emotions seemed to be high for many of the shot putters on Saturday, including second place-finisher Jacob Wilson. Wilson, of UCLA, has been dealing with a groin injury and had a “really tough season.” His farthest throw in the competition, 19.28m (63-3.25), was a season best.

“This has been plaguing me all season so it was really emotional for me to go out there, you know, my very last year, and put out a second place throw,” said Wilson.

Wilson’s throw was the turnaround he needed to get ready for regionals and nationals, where he believes he’ll be able to go for a top spot once he heals completely. Saturday’s Pac-12 competition, which Wilson has been thinking about for months, was a satisfying first step.

“I just felt it, I was like, ‘oh my gosh, I really did this,’” said Wilson. “To actually make that realization is just one of the greatest feelings.”