Marble Falls grad O’Riley’s season ends
CAPTION: Marble Falls graduate Kason O’Riley is trying to clear the bar set at 7 feet and a quarter of an inch at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon June 27. Courtesy photo
Marble Falls High School graduate Kason O’Riley’s summer of high jumping ended at the U.S. Olympic Trials June 27.
He, along with several others, no heighted at 7 feet and a quarter of an inch.
“I just had a bad day,” he said. “I no heighted at 2.14 (meters), which is pretty easy to clear. I didn’t have my coach with me, and I didn’t know what I was doing wrong.”
Not having a coach give him feedback during a meet was a new experience. Coaches are nearby during high school and collegiate meets to offer insight and correction. On the high school level, they even take video of their high jumpers as they’re competing to give them an on-the-spot way to examine and study the attempt so it can be corrected at the next jump.
But O’Riley didn’t use that as his reason for the outcome.
“The vibe out there was awesome,” he said. “I loved jumping with all my friends. It was pretty good weather, maybe a little chilly that I’m not used to.”
Since the competition ended, O’Riley has had the chance to study the video of his attempts.
“I was too far away (from the bar and the bed),” he said. “I was getting the height by a lot. I had to use most of my energy to get to the bar. I didn’t know I was that far away at the time.”
By the afternoon of June 29, he was on his way to back to Arkansas with a determination to make the most of what is left of his summer. He is on track to graduate from the University of Arkansas in spring 2025 with the goal of becoming a coach.
But first, he and his dad, Shawn, will create a workout routine designed to challenge the high jumper to greater heights.
“Hopefully I’ll have a post collegiate career,” he said. “It’ll be nice to coach in a high school.”
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