WKU’s Jessica Ramsey in NCAA Championships in 3 events

Jessica Ramsey didn’t originally plan to attend Western Kentucky University, but she’s glad she did.

Last week the Florida native and junior-college transfer became the first Lady Topper ever to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in three individual events (discus, shot put and hammer throw). The championships will start Wednesday in Eugene, Ore.

“It’s a blessing,” said Ramsey, a senior who also reached the nationals in the discus last year. “Words can’t really explain it. It’s a big accomplishment. All the hard work, trust in my coaches, got me there. I’m very thankful.”

The Boynton Beach High School graduate had planned to attend college in her home state. She was recruited by Miami and Central Florida, but academic issues forced her to go the junior-college route, landing at South Plains in Texas. When she reopened her recruitment, WKU contacted her.

Ramsey’s older brother attended WKU, but she didn’t consider the Hilltoppers back then.

“I asked him how the school was,” she said. “He said, ‘You should take a visit and see if you like it.’ ”

She said she chose WKU because the coaches expressed interest in her as a student as well as an athlete. Since joining the team in 2012-13, she has been one of the best performers in school history, setting school and Sun Belt Conference records.

Ramsey is studying social work and wants to become a juvenile probation officer or a parole officer.

“I really want to work with kids,” she said. “I like the challenge. Life is a challenge, so why not go for it?”

— Michael Grant