For the last three seasons, senior javelin thrower Fabian Dohmann’s career has been hampered by a string of injuries. But as he took the stage for his final act as a Longhorn, Dohmann looked to rewrite the narrative of his career, and he followed through.
“Life always gives you a second opportunity and this was it for me,” Dohmann said. “I had many chances to say, ‘All right, this is it for me.’ But with our medical team, I just found the right support all the time and after three years, I came back stronger than ever before and I accomplished this today.”
Dohmann’s day was highlighted by a podium finish at the NCAA Track and Field Outdoor Championships, good for two points toward the Longhorns’ team effort and a successful close to Dohmann’s career at Texas.
“I feel like I’m closing the circle,” Dohmann said. “I just needed this (trophy), and that’s what happened today.”
As one door closed, another opened, as freshman shot-putter Tripp Piperi took part in his first appearance at the NCAA Championships. He excelled for the Longhorns all season, earning him a spot in this week’s events, but struggled out of the gate on Wednesday. Through the first five rounds, Piperi fell into ninth place.
“We got to finals and people started throwing farther, and I was like, ‘Uh-oh,” Piperi said. “I’m an All-American indoor, and I was like, ‘For me, I need to do this.’”
After falling behind in the event, Piperi was well aware that a poor throw in his final attempt would cost his team, but the Longhorn saved his best for last, as he tied his personal record and placed fourth overall.
“It felt great to get back to that mentality where I can come in and kind of clutch it,” Piperi said. “(To) just come through at the end and still have my teammates and coaches rely on me like that and know that I’m not just going to quit right there and just get on my knees and be done with it.”
Longhorns earn slot in finals
A trio of women put forth impressive performances for the Longhorns as well. Sophomore Rushelle Burton and senior Pedrya Seymour won their respective heats in the 100-meter hurdles race, while senior Ariel Jones finished fourth in the 400-meter hurdles.
The Longhorns’ favorable day on the track carried over to the men’s side, as freshman Sam Worley, sophomore John Rice and senior John Burt all secured slots in the finals Friday.
Burt’s second-place finish in the 110-meter hurdles was one of the more notable moments of the day, as he went toe-to-toe with Florida’s Grant Holloway, with just .04 seconds separating the two favorites.
With more events beginning Friday and the finals still yet to come, a number of Texas athletes will set out to add to the team’s early success.
