ATHLETIC SUCCESSES:
Ramona was a seven time NCAA/AIAW All-American in college. In 1984 she was the NCAA Outdoor Champion in shot put, and qualified for her first Olympic team. She placed 11th at the Games in Los Angeles, the first of her four Olympic Games. Since 1985, she has won gold, silver and bronze medals at the Pan American Games and a bronze medal at the World University Games. Ramona is a five-time USA Track and Field Outdoor National Champion in shot put, and an eight-time Indoor National Champion. She has been a member of four World Outdoor Championship teams and five World Indoor Championship teams. She is currently the American record holder in both indoor and outdoor shot put. In 1988, she was the U.S. Olympic Trials Champion in shot put (setting an Olympic Trials record which still stands) and competed in shot put and discus in Seoul. She was also a member of the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Teams in shot put, placing 11th and 9th respectively.

CAREER PATH:
While she was competing, Ramona worked as an Assistant Track & Field Coach at San Diego Mesa College. She stopped competing after the 1996 Olympic Games and returned to school to get her degree in sports psychology. While enrolled in school, she worked as the Assistant to the Associate Athletic Director of Facilities and Operations at Kent State, and she continued with this position for a short time after graduating. Additionally, Ramona worked as the Assistant Track & Field coach at Kent State, where she coached NCAA National qualifiers and All-American athletes. In 1998, she accepted an invitation to work with the U.S. team as an Assistant Coach for the World Cup in South Africa. She currently works in a volunteer position as the Coordinator for Women's Shot Put Development for USA Track & Field. She also sits on the executive board of USAT&F's International Competition Committee, is a member of the USAT&F Athlete's Advisory Committee and an alternate to the USOC Athlete's Advisory Committee.

RAMONA'S WORDS OF WISDOM:
"The same motivation that you needed to accomplish your goals as an athlete will be mirrored in your professional career. Be prepared to start fresh at the beginning with a mature attitude in the professional world."

"Make a plan for your retirement from athletics and get jobs which allow you to support yourself while investigating your career choices."