TXST TRACK AND FIELD
As the old adage goes, iron sharpens iron, and nowhere was that example perfected than between junior Aiden Hayes and senior Kason O’Riley in the high jump.
The Texas State duo dominated the high jump competition all the way up to nationals where Hayes and O’Riley tied for second to bring up a pair of silver medals.
“It’s a blessing to all the people that believed in me and all the hard work I’ve put in,” Hayes said. “It’s just a great opportunity to be able to compete at that next level.”
O’Riley, a transfer from Arkansas, agreed.
“I really appreciate it,” O’Riley said. “All the coaches who would let me come in transfer this last year and be at the top of the game.”
The duo experienced different paths in their journey to reaching the podium.
O’Riley, a transfer from Arkansas, was looking for a new home after losing his track.
Being from Marble Falls, O’Riley felt being closer to home was the best choice for him.
“My coach left, I was like ‘All right, I need to find a new school,” O’Riley said. “I didn’t know if I could trust [anybody]. I grew up in Marble Falls, Texas, so it was pretty close to home. And I’ve heard some great things about Coach Kay and Coach Frazier. I was like ‘You know what? I’m going to take a chance and come back home.’ It worked for the best.”
Hayes, having been at Texas State since 2023, was looking to break out after placing in the top 15 at regionals last year.
“It’s been a roller coaster of a season,” Hayes said. “It’s been a lot of ups and downs, and I’ve worked through adversity. I’ve had a lot of challenges and hardships, but being able to push through and just allowing this season to make me stronger, I feel like it’s been a good year of growth. I am starting to show people my potential and continue to grow on myself as a person and an athlete.”
Like Hayes, O’Riley placed 13th at regionals and was looking to finally break through and punch his ticket to nationals.
“Last year didn’t go the way I wanted [it] to go,” O’Riley said. “I missed out by one spot, and this year, I was not going to leave anything to chance.”
What followed was one of the greatest high jumping seasons in the history of the Texas State track and field program that had not been seen since the days of Charles Austin.
The duo went on to win a combined 11 gold medals during the indoor and outdoor track seasons with Hayes and O’Riley finishing in the top two at the majority of their meets.
At the Sun Belt Indoor conference meet, O’Riley won first place while Hayes won second. At the Sun Belt Outdoor conference meet, Hayes took first place while O’Riley won second.
Competing at the West Regionals, one year after missing out at nationals, the duo punched their tickets to Eugene with O’Riley winning first and Hayes taking fifth, becoming the first pair of Bobcat track teammates to qualify for nationals in the same event.
The combination of their championship drive, a strive to be better and a great relationship off the field, O’Riley and Hayes had reached their full potential.
“We push each other every single day in practice,” Hayes said. “It started in the off season. [O’Riley] was coming in from a bigger school with a bigger name, and I wanted to be better. He was at the level that I was at, and he pushed me to get better. I’m grateful that he was here.”
O’Riley agreed. “Since we both compete at such a high level, everything we do on the track, it’s very competitive,” O’Riley said. “Having a great friendship really helps out. … If I see him clear the bar, I’m going to clear the bar. If he sees me clearing the bar, he’s going to clear the bar. We have a great relationship to enjoy.”
But both Hayes and O’Riley were not satisfied with just qualifying for nationals. Coming in with the third best marks in the nation, the duo had the chance to reach the podium.
Hayes and O’Riley both 6-10.75, 7-.5 and 7-2.5 without scratching. Though the duo went out at 7-5.25, Hayes and O’Riley went on to tie for second place to bring home a pair of silver medals.
Both Hayes and O’Riley are the first high jumpers at Texas State to medal at nationals since Charles Austin in 1990.
cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc
