EUGENE, Ore. - Abbeville native and Northwest alumnus Shelby McEwen is one step closer to making his Olympic dreams a reality.

McEwen will compete in the high jump events during this weekend's U.S. Olympic Trials, fulfilling a goal he set for himself in 2017, shortly after signing with the track and field program at the University of Alabama.

"It's still just mind-blowing to me," McEwen said this week. "It's an honor and a privilege to be in this position."

A former standout for the track and basketball programs at Oxford High School, McEwen signed to play for former coach Bubba Skelton and the Northwest men's basketball program. During his two seasons in Senatobia, McEwen played in every game and developed into an every day starter by his sophomore season. In 49 career contests, he averaged 5.3 points, three rebounds and 1.1 assists per game, along with 46 career steals and 17 blocks.

Still, even during his time with the Rangers, McEwen's love for track continued. During the offseason, he would compete unattached in meets around the southeast, eventually recapturing the eye of several Division I programs that had recruited him in high school.

"It was a huge transition for me, juggling basketball and competing unattached," McEwen said. "I feel it made me a better athlete mentally, spiritually and physically. (But) I felt that I had more opportunities for success by sticking with track, so that's what made me continue high jumping."

At first, McEwen committed to Auburn after competing in a meet there, but after setting a new personal record during the 2017 Crimson Tide Invitational in Tuscaloosa, he reopened his decision and chose Alabama instead.

McEwen remained with the Crimson Tide from 2017-19, earning numerous All-American and All-SEC accolades, including a pair of indoor and outdoor high jump SEC championships in 2018. During the 2019 indoor and outdoor seasons, McEwen collected first place finishes in several events, most notably the NCAA Indoor Championship with a 7-6 mark (2.29m).

In July 2019, McEwen competed in the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Des Moines, Iowa, earning the silver medal in the high jump and setting himself up for the Olympic Trials. Now all that stands in his way of a trip to Tokyo is Friday's qualifying round and the men's high jump final on Sunday, June 27.

Whatever happens this weekend, McEwen is simply grateful for the opportunity to get a chance at representing Team USA however he can.

"This whole week has just been amazing," he said. "I'm going to keep God first and not put too much pressure on myself. I'm going to compete and have fun."

Coverage of the Olympic Trials can be viewed on NBC and NBC Sports Network, with additional coverage available on the NBC Sports app. Friday's qualifying round begins at 5 P.M. Central on NBC Sports Network, with Sunday's finals set for a 3:30 P.M. start time on NBC (WMC-TV 5 in the Mid-South area).