Jack Reichenbach knew he could come up with a big jump at last week’s District 11 Track and Field Championships. But when he landed his long jump 23 feet, 5 1/2 inches from where he took off, for a new district record, he even surprised himself.

The jump not only earned him a gold medal and a place in the record books, but it kept that mark within his family as his father, Dan, owned the record for three decades before his son sailed three inches further.

“I did not see that one coming,” Jack said on the second day of the district meet after picking up his third medal in two days. “It was awesome to do that and beat my dad’s record that stood for 31 years. That was a great feeling.

“Coming in I definitely wanted to get 23 feet, but going five and a half inches further than 23 feet was a bonus. That was awesome.”

While his father is his primary jumping coach, Jack’s brother Dan, Jr., a former state medalist who now jumps at Lehigh University, also helps guide his younger brother’s career.

“They are the whole reason I am as good as I am,” said Jack Reichenbach. “Without their help I would not be where I am. They give me all the time that I ask for and they help me with everything. They’re my coaches and they’re the reason I’m doing what I’m doing.

“My brother is more of the mental coach, trying to get me prepared for the jump. My dad is more of the technical guy with the technique.”

After the district performance, Reichenbach has set the highest of goals for next week.

“After that jump, I definitely want to win state gold for long jump,” he said. “That’s my goal going in.”

Last year’s state-title winning long jump in Class 2A was 23-9 ½ by then-sophomore Brendan Sparr of Schuylkill Valley. Medals go to the top eight at states. Last year’s eighth-place finisher jumped 21-10 ¾.

Reichenbach, a junior competing in his first state championship meet, will also compete in high jump this week at Shippensburg University, the site of the annual state meet. He took second place in districts at 6-4, but he’s confident he can clear 6-6 next weekend.

“I got second so I can’t complain, but I think I could have jumped higher,” he said. “My best is 6-7. I think I should get 6-6 because I’ve gotten it 4-5 times this year.”

Last year’s state-winning high jump was 6-8 by Palmerton senior Spencer Hay. Anything over 6-4 was good for a top-nine state finish last season.

Reichenbach also took third place in triple jump at districts, leaping 42-6 ½. That event came last Wednesday after his two state-qualifying performances on Tuesday.

“I haven’t practiced triple and haven’t done many full jumps,” Jack Reichenbach said. “I’ve been focusing on long jump and high jump. Because triple jump is the second day, I decided to do it. It ended up working out.”

Salisbury had several other top-10 finishers at districts.

Freshman Timothy Buda made a big impact in his first district meet. He finished fourth in the 200-meter dash in 23.35 and sixth in 100 in 11.71.

Sophomore Robert Kulp was not far behind Reichenbach, taking fourth in high jump at 6-0.

Sophomore Rylee Donaldson finished fourth in the 400 in 1:00.17. Sophomore Erica Holben placed fifth in long jump at 16-8 ½ and tied for eighth in high jump at 4-8.

Sophomore Madison Jewell cleared 8-6 to finish fifth in pole vault.

Senior Caitlin Hoeing was sixth in triple jump at 33-0 and 10th in long jump at 15-7.

Junior Margaux Petruska took eighth in javelin at 97-2 and senior Eric Frankenfield was ninth in 200 in 24.02.

Sophomore Michael Sosnowski ran a 5:02.43 for ninth place in 1600-meter run.

Olivia Hoeing took ninth place in triple jump at 32-6.

Freshman Shane Artis was 10th in the 1600 in 5:02.76.

Junior Jacara Smith was 10th in discus at 92-3 and junior Sarah McGee ran to 10th place in 300 hurdles at 52.51.