BREAKING NEWS: West Aurora alumnus and current Eastern Illinois University assistant track coach JaRod Tobler hit on a long jump of 8.16 meters (26 feet, 7 inches) in tonight's qualifying round at the US Olympic Trials at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Ore.

The jump sends Tobler to the finals, meaning he is one step away from making the US Olympic team. (To read more on Tobler, click here)

Tobler, a member of the 99-00 state championship basketball team at West, entered the competition with the 14th longest jump in the nation. But on his second attempt Friday night, he nailed it.

The 25-year-old will compete in the finals on Sunday at 5:30 pm CT. He will have to be one of the top three finishers in order to make the Olympic team.

To read more on Tobler, as well as Rosary alumnae Mary DeScenza's bid to make the US Olympic team, check out Sunday's Beacon News.