Marble Falls grad O’Riley wins conference title

Marble Falls High School graduate Kason O’Riley is the Sun Belt Conference indoor champion in the high jump.

The Texas State University athlete was crowned the champion Feb. 25 after clearing 7 feet and 3 inches on his second attempt at the height and tied the meet record.

“I walked in and thought, ‘All right I’ve been through many championships. This is no different,'” he said. “It feels really good knowing I was in there and able to help my team get third overall and winning the conference championship always feels great. It’s the best of the best, and I was able to be the victor.”

He cleared every height leading up to 7-3 on the first attempt. He was close to clearing to 7-5 and believes that’s within reach.

While O’Riley has always been a gifted high jumper — winning the 2021 Class 5A state title and the 2021 boys high jump national title the year he graduated from Marble Falls — his mindset is what is separating him from the collegiate competition.

Every time he steps into an arena or stadium to compete, he believes he’s the athlete to beat. That is how he felt four years ago before he made the jump to become a collegiate athlete.

“Coming in with that mindset helps,” he said.

The event drew 18 jumpers, and O’Riley beat teammate Aiden Hays, who earned the silver by clearing 7-1.75

“He put on a show,” the former Mustang said. “He’s No. 4 in the nation behind me. He pushed me and pushed me. He didn’t miss until 7-3.”

Currently O’Riley is No. 3 on the list.

As a unit, Texas State high jumpers are No. 7 in the rankings. O’Riley credits jumping coach Kendall Gustafson Filip for all they have accomplished.

“To me she’s the best there is,” he said. “She cares so much about her athletes. She checks on us all the time. There’s joy on her face.”

O’Riley will compete in the NCAA Division I Indoor Championships March 14-15 in Virginia Beach, Va.