Marble Falls grad Kason O’Riley earns NCAA silver medal

CAPTION: Texas State senior high jumper Kason O’Riley finishes as the NCAA Men’s Division I Outdoor Track and Field runner-up in the event. Photo by Tyler Emanuel/Texas State Track Media Team

Texas State University senior high jumper Kason O’Riley is the NCAA Men’s Division I co-runner-up after clearing 7 feet and 2.5 inches June 13.

The NCAA Men’s Division I Track and Field Championships was in Eugene, Oregon.

O’Riley, a 2021 Marble Falls High School graduate, shared the silver medal with teammate Aiden Hayes. It was O’Riley’s best result at the NCAA championships.

The field had 24 high jumpers.

“It was good,” O’Riley said. “I didn’t miss a single jump (leading to the silver medal finish). It was the first time I got a medal. I’m an all-American.”

O’Riley had cleared 6-10.75 and 7-0.5 leading up to his silver medal flop.

He noted Hayes was jumping 16th, while he was jumping ninth. The athletes drew for the order in which they competed.

“I cleared (7-2.5) and a whole bunch of guys started missing,” the former Mustang said. “The favorite missed right in front of me. I thought, ‘I’ll go take this thing.’ That’s when I cleared it. I knew I was going to be a champion or secure my spot and finish top three at least.”

While O’Riley has competed at Hayward Field before, this was his second time to be there for the NCAA championship meet. He was there in 2022 as a member of the University of Oklahoma but “ended up no heighting,” he said.

He spent one year at the University of Oklahoma then transferred to the University of Arkansas for two years. Last summer he transferred to Texas State University and looked to get back the form that helped him win a Class 5A state championship.

“I made a nice little statement,” he said. “The big schools aren’t always the best option. The little schools are just as good as the power fives.”

He wasn’t surprised by his finish at the national meet, pointing out he had competed against the top high jumpers on the university level throughout his time as a collegiate athlete. The difference this year, however, is Texas State University jumping coach Kendall Gustafson Filip. He credits her for helping him regain what made him a champion high jumper where he was the favorite at every meet he entered.

“It’s why I came to Texas State,” the high jumper said. “I had a chip on my shoulder to be who everyone thought I was going to be in college. She helped me so much. I cleared 7-4.5 twice this season. She knows how to really get you to where you can be your best.”

Just how impactful has O’Riley’s year in San Marcos been? When he first got there, he thought he’d become a teacher and coach after his eligibility finished. Now he’s decided to become a professional high jumper. His first meet is the Royal City Inferno Track and Field Festival June 20-21 at Alumni Stadium in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

He can leave behind collegiate track and field knowing there’s nothing else left.

“I wanted to win every meet and show how I’m the best,” he said. “I think I did. I really feel like I did. I wanted to finish on the podium with my dad (Shawn) and girlfriend (Bailey Hamilton) watching. Obviously I wanted to win, but it wasn’t in the cards for me. That silver medal is really shiny.”

CAPTION: Texas State high jumper Kason O’Riley and TSU jumping coach Kendall Gustafson Filip. Photo by Tyler Emanuel/Texas State Track Media Team