Sophomore O’Brien Wasome made history for the Longhorns on Saturday in the triple jump by winning the first men’s title in the event to close out the NCAA Indoor Championships.
His jump of 16.82 meters (55-4.25) also broke the school record in the event.
“I’ve been working so hard. I’m just really happy to have this right now,” Wasome said. “I hit each phase of my jump and my body reacted the way I wanted. As soon as I hit the pit, I was like, ‘Yes! I finally put a good one out there.’”
Wasome finished third at this meet last year as a freshman and he said that performance motivated him and gave him confidence that he could come back and win this year.
He opened the meet with three big jumps and found himself in second place behind the defending national champion through the first three jumps. After a foul in Round 4, Wasome lined up the best jump of his career on his fifth attempt. He measured at 16.82m to take the lead from Florida’s KeAndre Bates by six inches, and that difference would hold through the final round of jumps.
Assistant Coach Zach Glavash said the win was huge for Wasome because it validates the hard work he has put in and the confidence he has in himself. It also sets the bar for the rest of the team.
“He kept himself calm. He has found a good rhythm of staying calm in the moment and of making sure he’s not forcing something. He’s really found his composure, which to go to the next level is what you have to have,” Glavash said. “Just hearing the people in the stands and the amount of texts we’ve gotten, this is big. Texas Track & Field needs to set the bar and we need to vie for national championships.”
