Marble Falls High grad Kason O’Riley makes Team USA
CAPTION: Kason O’Riley has high-jumped his way onto a Team USA squad for the first time two years after graduating from high school. Photo by Shawn Price/University of Arkansas track media
High jumper Kason O’Riley earned a spot on the U.S. National team’s 23-and-under squad that will be competing at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association Games for athletes ages 23 and younger July 21-23 in San Jose, Costa Rica.
That’s because O’Riley finished seventh at the U.S. Track and Field Outdoor Championships July 9 thanks to clearing the opening height of 7 feet and 1 inch on his first attempt.
“It put me in the top two for U23,” he said. “Finish seventh overall in the whole country? I’ll take it.”
O’Riley’s triumph was even sweeter considering the obstacles from the spring semester.
The 2021 Marble Falls High School graduate transferred to the University of Arkansas in summer 2022 after spending a year high jumping for the University of Oklahoma. The Class 5A state high jumping champion finished fourth at the Southeastern Conference Indoor Championships after clearing 7-1.75. He helped the Razorbacks win the indoor national championship weeks later. But he suffered a leg injury and sprained ankle leading up to the SEC Track and Field Outdoor Championships. The result was enduring a tougher outdoor season than he thought.
That served as extra motivation for the summer, and his first place win at the Trackwired Arkansas Grand Prix June 23 by clearing 7-1 simply illustrated how he is feeling now.
He’s back.
When he found out he’d qualified for the U.S. Track and Field Outdoor Championships because he was ranked in the top 16 nationally, he didn’t hesitate to go. So it’s understandable if O’Riley called his parents, who are now living in Arkansas, at 2 a.m. central time to share the joy hours after he made the team. And that he tried on all the clothing he was given now that he’s officially a member of Team USA moments after he returned to his hotel room. They include five hats, socks, two uniforms, a warm-up suit, a rain suit, T-shirts, dry-fit shirts, backpack, track bag and water bottles.
“I tried everything on,” he said with a laugh. “It was surreal. It was an experience I always wanted to do. The uniform says ‘USA’ across my chest. It’s so cool. I got a few hours (of sleep). I was so amped up.”
Competing at Eugene gave the former Mustang a chance to see Vernon Turner, an old friend and Sooner teammate, who finished third in the event thanks to clearing 7-3. That put Turner on the U.S. senior team. JuVaughn Harrison of Team Puma won the national title by clearing 7-5 without a miss, while Shelby McEwen of Team Nike was the runner-up by clearing 7-5 with a miss.
“It was so cool to see (Turner) and his dream come true,” O’Riley said. “He looked at me and said, ‘Man, I finally made it.’ We looked at each other and started grinning. We both made the U.S. team. It was the coolest thing.”
O’Riley was headed back to Arkansas to spend the next two weeks training before he travels to Costa Rica for his first international trip. He plans to participate in activities for the athletes, including opening ceremonies.
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