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Here's how Oregon shot putter Jaida Ross did in the Olympic finals

In her first Olympic Games, the Oregon Duck shot putter from Medford qualified for the Olympic final.

SAINT-DENIS-D'OLÉRON, France — University of Oregon shot putter Jaida Ross placed fourth in the Olympic women's shot put final with a throw of 19.28 meters, missing out on bronze by 0.04 meters.

Yemisi Ongunleye of Germany won the gold medal with a throw of 20 meters while fellow American, Raven Saunders, placed 11th, throwing the shot 17.79 meters.

Saunders sticks out in a crowd, as they can been seen sporting purple and green hair as well as a full-face mask while throwing. Saunders, who identifies as nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns, calls their shot putting alter ego "Hulk" due to the green and purple. 

In the Olympic final qualifiers in Aug. 8, Ross placed fourth in her group with a throw of 18.58 meters.

Ross, who was born in Medford, qualified for her first Olympic Games this year after placing third at the U.S. Olympic Trials with a throw of 19.6 meters.

Ross, who was a junior this past year with the Ducks, will likely return for her senior year to finish out what has been an impressive career with Oregon.

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