Marble Falls grad O’Riley transfers to Texas State
CAPTION: High jumper Kason O’Riley, who graduated from Marble Falls High School in 2021, is returning to the area. Courtesy photo
Kason O’Riley is coming home.
The 2021 Marble Falls High School graduate is transferring to Texas State University after spending a year on the track teams at the University of Oklahoma in 2021-22 and the last two years at the University of Arkansas.
O’Riley noted several reasons why he chose to go to Texas State. The first is the location to Marble Falls and his private coach, Charles Austin, the 1991 World champion and 1996 Olympic gold medalist in the event.
“(He) trains athletes in San Marcos,” O’Riley said. “They know me better than every coach.”
O’Riley, who has one year of eligibility left, spoke with Texas State head coach John Frazier and jumping coach Kendall Gustafson, who noted his experience in jumping at national and international events will benefit their program.
“I’m a veteran on the team,” he said. “They said, ‘You have a lot of experience. You’ve seem to have a lot of get-up here. And they have confidence in me getting points. They want me to get points for the team at NCAA meets. They have a nice jumping program.”
O’Riley is the 2021 Class 5A state champion in the event and the 2021 Nike Outdoor Nationals high school champion. He finished fourth at the 2019 state meet and fifth at the Texas Relays.
There’s plenty riding on his final NCAA year. If O’Riley can clear specific heights, he has a chance at creating a professional career in the event. That’s his and Austin’s goal.
“I know I have three or four more inches in me,” he said. “He told me, ‘I see you jumping 7-5, 7-6 with no problem. I just need you to get that work in.’ (Clearing) 7-5 will help me get a pro contract; 7-6 can get me a nice one. I want to continue to jump after college.”
Classes begin Aug. 26.
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