Salisbury High School senior Jack Reichenbach has followed in the footsteps of family members before him.

Older brothers Dan and Brendan had successful high school athletic careers at Salisbury, with Dan competing in basketball and track and field and Brendan basketball and golf. Jack was always around for their games and events, and over the past two years made his own mark as a Falcon athlete.

Last Thursday afternoon at the Salisbury High School library, Jack signed his letter of intent to the University of Rhode Island for track and field.

“I’ve been dreaming about this day since I started doing track freshman year,” said Jack Reichenbach. “My first meet I did well, and since then I just keep wanting to get better and better. I work hard to be the best that I can be.

“Knowing my brother [Dan] was in Division I for track, and both of my parents were All-Americans in college, I just hope that I can have the same kind of success that they had.”

The decision was made a couple of weeks ago to continue his academic and athletic career as a Ram. After an official visit to see the campus and meet with the team, it was an easy choice.

“At Rhode Island, the team wants to be doing what they do,” Reichenbach said. “There is a lot of team camaraderie and they all have the same goal, to win. It’s not about individuals there, and I think that’s great. I felt that this was the place for me.”

On May 16 of this year, Reichenbach achieved a special accomplishment in the District 11 meet at Blue Mountain High School. Not only was he the District 11 2A champion in the long jump with a score of 23-feet, five-and-a-half inches, and in doing so broke the school and district record which was held by his father, Dan Sr.

“He told me after it happened that he didn’t know if he should ground me or take me out for dinner,” Reichenbach said. “That moment was probably the best in my sports life. I knew what his number was, and when they said what mine was I was ecstatic. I didn’t think I could ever beat that. I just felt great that day.”

Reichenbach has also been a member of the basketball team since his sophomore year, and has helped lead the Falcons to the District 11 tournament each season.

“Basketball is fun but it also helps me stay in shape for track,” said Reichenbach. “You get so much strength and endurance from the running and physical play of the sport. The vertical I get to work on during the basketball season helps with my jumping during the track season.”

Last year Reichenbach was the District 11 and Colonial League runner-up in the high jump, and the Colonial League champion in the long jump. He was also a PIAA Class 2A sixth-place medalist in the long jump and high jump.

Heading into his senior season on the track, he has a few things still to look forward to.

“Last year I was an inch away from the league record (in long jump), so I want to accomplish that this year,” said Reichenbach. “I also want to win two gold medals at the state meet.”