KU discus thrower Dimitrios Pavlidis knew that the 2025 national meet was going to be tougher than what he encountered in 2024 because of the return of so many Olympians, including the world record holder from Lithuania, Mykolas Alekna, a junior at the University of California.
So, naturally, Pavlidis tempered his expectations a little heading into last week’s meet in Eugene, Oregon.
The goal, according to last year’s bronze medal winner, was always to do better than third place this time around.
“Of course,” Pavlidis told R1S1 Sports before heading to Oregon for his final event as a Jayhawk.
But he also entered the competition with a realist’s view on things.
“It reminds me of the world championships,” Pavlidis said of this year’s NCAA Outdoor Championships, calling the field “world class” but also acknowledging that he was glad the full scope of the country’s best collegiate competitors was there.
Fast-forward a few days to the medal stand, and there was Pavlidis, holding a trophy and standing in sixth place in his final event as a Jayhawk.
While his top throw of 61.04 meters came up short of his goal of 65 meters, it did nothing to take away from what wound up being a fantastic collegiate career. Not bad for a guy who had never been to the United States before coming to KU.
All Pavlidis did during his time as a Jayhawk was set the school record, eclipse the Greek national record and qualify for Outdoor Nationals in three consecutive years, finishing 23rd in 2023, 3rd in 2024 and 6th at last week’s finale.
Pavlidis acknowledged that his growth — both as a competitor in the sport and a person out of it — was significant during his time in Lawrence. And his poise on meet days was one of the easiest ways for him to see that.
“It feels good because it’s a hard process to go through the regional meet,” he said of qualifying for nationals for a third consecutive year. “There’s only three throws and a lot of people are very nervous about that.”
Was he?
“I was not,” the humble native of Greece said. “I was very sure of myself. Through consistency, you just know you’re gonna do good, and I knew I was gonna qualify. When I was a sophomore I was very nervous and now it’s just another meet.”
That frame of mind allowed Pavlidis to enjoy the entirety of his final track meet in a Kansas uniform. And the fact that his string of lasts as a Jayhawk started long before his trip to Oregon helped keep his emotions in check.
“The reflection already kicked in after Big 12s and after I graduated. I’ve been through so many things here, but I’m very glad that I made the choice to come here and study and compete for Kansas.”
While his showing at the last two NCAA Outdoor Championships will always stick with him — winning back-to-back first-team All-American honors has a way of doing that to people — Pavlidis could not help but recall the day he set a the Greek national record, the KU school record and topped his dad’s best throw for the first time, during his sophomore year at the Kansas Relays.
That throw of 212 feet, 11 inches, was his best until he reached the 213-foot mark (65.13 meters) earlier this season. And after he topped 212 the first time, he called his dad, Aléxandros, back home in Greece and delivered a simple message.
“I just remember saying, ‘Hey, dad, I did it. I made it,” Pavlidis said last week.
There was no bitterness on the other end of the line from the former thrower himself. After all, seeing his son out-throw him was a thrill in and of itself for the elder Pavlidis.
“He was very happy about it,” Pavlidis said. “He’s my biggest supporter and has been there for me since Day 1.”
Pavlidis said he doesn’t put too much stock into his Greek national record. He’s proud of it, sure. And he hopes he can break it a couple more times before he’s done.
“At the same time, it doesn’t mean everything to me,” he noted. “I’m not gonna put it on my resumé and introduce myself to people by saying, ‘Hi, I’m the Greek national record holder.’”
The goal from here is to return to Greece, work on a masters degree and train for a spot in the 2028 Summer Olympics.
“There’s a plan,” he said, smiling.
Whether he achieves those feats or not, his time at KU will always hold a special place in his heart, and he hopes that the path he walked these past four years can be both replicated and helpful for future Jayhawks.
“I want to leave a message to the other student-athletes that patience is a virtue,” Pavlidis said. “You need to be patient, trust the progress and know that everything’s gonna come to you if you just work hard and love it.”
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