An Interview with Track and Field Stars Jorinde Van Klinken and Jaida Ross
05/22/23 | Women In Flight
Breaking records in Track and Field, Women In Flight had the honor of interviewing Jorinde Van Klinken and Jaida Ross
Women In Flight had the honor of interviewing Track and Field stars Jorinde Van Klinken and Jaida Ross. Both women talked about their upbringings and what Women In Flight means to them.
JORINDE VAN KLINKEN:
Growing up in Assen, Netherlands, and then moving to the U.S. for college, where she attended Arizona State University for two years and most recently transferred to the University of Oregon this year, Jorinde Van Klinken is making a name for herself and setting NCAA collegiate records.
Where did you grow up?
"I grew up in Assen, Netherlands. I attended undergrad in Arnhem, where I trained at the national training center. I later moved to Utrecht and was there for three years before moving to the U.S., where I attended Arizona State University for two years, before transferring to the University of Oregon."
How did your upbringing contribute to where you are now? (Here at UO competing in shot put and discus)
"My parents raised me to be independent. They taught me to make my own decisions and I was never pressured to do something I didn't want to do. Because of this, I was able to choose my own path with confidence, which allowed me to make the decision to move across the world to chase my passions. I didn't know anyone but took this leap of faith because of the confidence that was instilled in me.
My dad in specific, would take me to meets in the Netherlands, and he helped me develop my mindset. If I did poorly, he would say, "What can we learn from this? What are the positives I can take away from a poor performance?" Ultimately, my dad was and still is my sports psychologist. He reiterated and instilled in me that passion to be the best that I can be and not dwell on one single performance. Not only did he help me with my mindset, but he taught me about balance. He taught me to balance both sports and school and as a result, I have two master's degrees while being a professional athlete, which is very rare in Europe."
What does Women In Flight mean to you? What opportunities has UO athletics provided you, in the short time you've been here?
"Women In Flight is unique to Oregon. The concept surrounding it is so cool because it truly puts an emphasis on praising and supporting women in sports to lift people up. At the end of the day, college sports are about having a great time, and this program allows that opportunity. The University of Oregon is aware of the importance that a program like this can have and the message of women's empowerment. There need to be more programs like WIF to lift people up and praise them and spread the message about what women can do with their bodies and mindset."
How does your experience as a student-athlete at Oregon differ from your time at ASU?
"At ASU, I didn't feel like women's athletics played as big of a role as compared to my time and experience at Oregon. Oregon has a strong track presence, which also allows women's track to be bigger here, which is empowering. When I look at the women on my team here, they're more confident and there seems to be a bigger sense of belief in themselves compared to the other programs I've been a part of. People here seem to have more passion for what they can do and I can see that within the other women's programs. All women deserve to feel and have that passion and confidence."
What female athlete do you look up to and why?
"It's hard to look at just one female athlete because I'm inspired by women in general. I don't believe that one athlete is better than the other. If you're a woman in sports, a prerequisite is having a tireless belief in yourself with a strong desire to keep pushing and knowing what it takes to achieve your goals."
What is your ultimate athletic goal?
"My ultimate goal is to get an Olympic medal in both the shot put and discus, which hasn't been accomplished in over fifty years. In fact, it's very odd that I compete and excel in both events at the highest level, whereas my competition solely focuses on one event. The challenge of competing in both events is great and my hard work paid off when I finished 3rd and 4th, respectively, in last year's European championships."
What is your advice for young, aspiring female athletes?
"My main piece of advice is to not let anyone tell you that you can't do anything, but most importantly, don't let yourself tell you that you can't do it, because you can. You can't compare yourself to others and their success because then you'll set a ceiling and I don't think you can compete or be your best self when you've set a ceiling for yourself. The sky is the limit."
JAIDA ROSS:
Growing up in Medford, Oregon, Jaida Ross is proudly representing her hometown state and the University of Oregon. Only a sophomore, Jaida is breaking records in the shot put and making a name for herself.
Where did you grow up? / How did your upbringing contribute to where you are now? (Here at UO competing in the shot put)
"I grew up in Medford, Oregon. I was a very active kid and was involved in many different sports. Participating in many different sports helped me become a well-rounded athlete, which is ultimately how I got to be a Duck. My family has always been huge UO fans and you could always find us watching Oregon football games. I also loved watching the women's soccer team."
What does Women In Flight mean to you? What opportunities has UO athletics provided you, in the short time you've been here?
"Women In Flight is so important to me because it empowers and supports women in sports. It also brings a lot of awareness to women in sports that I think is really important."
What has your experience as a student-athlete been like?
"Being a student-athlete has many challenges, but I love the opportunities and excitement that it brings. I definitely recognize the privilege given to student-athletes and I'm so grateful to be able to put an "O" on my chest and represent Oregon. I think as an Oregonian, I have a special love and pride in representing this school."
What female athlete do you look up to and why?
"A female athlete that I look up to is Michelle Carter. She was the thrower that I would watch over and over again growing up. She's so powerful and inspiring. I actually got to compete against her last year at the USA Championship meet."
What is your ultimate athletic goal?
"My ultimate athletic goal is to become an NCAA champion."
What is your advice for young, aspiring female athletes?
"I would remind young athletes to have as much fun as they can. Remember that the sport is supposed to be fun and exciting. Don't take it too seriously, find your love for the sport first."
JORINDE VAN KLINKEN:
Growing up in Assen, Netherlands, and then moving to the U.S. for college, where she attended Arizona State University for two years and most recently transferred to the University of Oregon this year, Jorinde Van Klinken is making a name for herself and setting NCAA collegiate records.
Where did you grow up?
"I grew up in Assen, Netherlands. I attended undergrad in Arnhem, where I trained at the national training center. I later moved to Utrecht and was there for three years before moving to the U.S., where I attended Arizona State University for two years, before transferring to the University of Oregon."
How did your upbringing contribute to where you are now? (Here at UO competing in shot put and discus)
"My parents raised me to be independent. They taught me to make my own decisions and I was never pressured to do something I didn't want to do. Because of this, I was able to choose my own path with confidence, which allowed me to make the decision to move across the world to chase my passions. I didn't know anyone but took this leap of faith because of the confidence that was instilled in me.
My dad in specific, would take me to meets in the Netherlands, and he helped me develop my mindset. If I did poorly, he would say, "What can we learn from this? What are the positives I can take away from a poor performance?" Ultimately, my dad was and still is my sports psychologist. He reiterated and instilled in me that passion to be the best that I can be and not dwell on one single performance. Not only did he help me with my mindset, but he taught me about balance. He taught me to balance both sports and school and as a result, I have two master's degrees while being a professional athlete, which is very rare in Europe."
What does Women In Flight mean to you? What opportunities has UO athletics provided you, in the short time you've been here?
"Women In Flight is unique to Oregon. The concept surrounding it is so cool because it truly puts an emphasis on praising and supporting women in sports to lift people up. At the end of the day, college sports are about having a great time, and this program allows that opportunity. The University of Oregon is aware of the importance that a program like this can have and the message of women's empowerment. There need to be more programs like WIF to lift people up and praise them and spread the message about what women can do with their bodies and mindset."
How does your experience as a student-athlete at Oregon differ from your time at ASU?
"At ASU, I didn't feel like women's athletics played as big of a role as compared to my time and experience at Oregon. Oregon has a strong track presence, which also allows women's track to be bigger here, which is empowering. When I look at the women on my team here, they're more confident and there seems to be a bigger sense of belief in themselves compared to the other programs I've been a part of. People here seem to have more passion for what they can do and I can see that within the other women's programs. All women deserve to feel and have that passion and confidence."
What female athlete do you look up to and why?
"It's hard to look at just one female athlete because I'm inspired by women in general. I don't believe that one athlete is better than the other. If you're a woman in sports, a prerequisite is having a tireless belief in yourself with a strong desire to keep pushing and knowing what it takes to achieve your goals."
What is your ultimate athletic goal?
"My ultimate goal is to get an Olympic medal in both the shot put and discus, which hasn't been accomplished in over fifty years. In fact, it's very odd that I compete and excel in both events at the highest level, whereas my competition solely focuses on one event. The challenge of competing in both events is great and my hard work paid off when I finished 3rd and 4th, respectively, in last year's European championships."
What is your advice for young, aspiring female athletes?
"My main piece of advice is to not let anyone tell you that you can't do anything, but most importantly, don't let yourself tell you that you can't do it, because you can. You can't compare yourself to others and their success because then you'll set a ceiling and I don't think you can compete or be your best self when you've set a ceiling for yourself. The sky is the limit."
JAIDA ROSS:
Growing up in Medford, Oregon, Jaida Ross is proudly representing her hometown state and the University of Oregon. Only a sophomore, Jaida is breaking records in the shot put and making a name for herself.
Where did you grow up? / How did your upbringing contribute to where you are now? (Here at UO competing in the shot put)
"I grew up in Medford, Oregon. I was a very active kid and was involved in many different sports. Participating in many different sports helped me become a well-rounded athlete, which is ultimately how I got to be a Duck. My family has always been huge UO fans and you could always find us watching Oregon football games. I also loved watching the women's soccer team."
What does Women In Flight mean to you? What opportunities has UO athletics provided you, in the short time you've been here?
"Women In Flight is so important to me because it empowers and supports women in sports. It also brings a lot of awareness to women in sports that I think is really important."
What has your experience as a student-athlete been like?
"Being a student-athlete has many challenges, but I love the opportunities and excitement that it brings. I definitely recognize the privilege given to student-athletes and I'm so grateful to be able to put an "O" on my chest and represent Oregon. I think as an Oregonian, I have a special love and pride in representing this school."
What female athlete do you look up to and why?
"A female athlete that I look up to is Michelle Carter. She was the thrower that I would watch over and over again growing up. She's so powerful and inspiring. I actually got to compete against her last year at the USA Championship meet."
What is your ultimate athletic goal?
"My ultimate athletic goal is to become an NCAA champion."
What is your advice for young, aspiring female athletes?
"I would remind young athletes to have as much fun as they can. Remember that the sport is supposed to be fun and exciting. Don't take it too seriously, find your love for the sport first."
Tracy Joyner | Postgame vs. Northwestern
Sunday, September 21
Caeley Goldstein | Postgame vs. Northwestern
Sunday, September 21
Selah Simms: "Play my game."
Wednesday, September 17
Addisen Boyer: "There’s so many resources here."
Wednesday, September 17
