Jack Reichenbach had high hopes for his first collegiate season at the University of Rhode Island. But it’s hard to imagine the former District 11 long jump champion would have imagined what transpired this past spring.

The highlight of Reichenbach’s freshman season was a first-place finish in the long jump at the Atlantic 10 Outdoor Track and Field Championships, jumping a career best 7.38 meters. He also etched his name in the Rhode Island record books.

“Winning the A-10 long jump was one of the highlights of my year,” Reichenbach said. “After getting second in the indoor season jumping with a sprained ankle, I was more healthy at the outdoor meet and it showed in my jumps.

“I did not expect to have such a strong season and to get new personal bests multiple times in my first year of college because of adjusting to everything.”

Reichenbach’s winning jump at the Atlantic 10 Meet also placed him with the third-best mark in the long jump in program history. Jeff Woods set the school record with a mark of 24-2 1/4.

And there’s no question what Reichenbach has his eyes on next.

“It feels amazing to already have the third-best long jump ever by anyone at Rhode Island in just my first year because of how many great athletes have jumped there, such as All-Americans and national qualifiers,” Reichenbach said. “I hope to get the all-time record next season.”

While the long jump was his best event of his inaugural college season, he also excelled in other jumps. Reichenbach took ninth in the high jump event at the Atlantic 10 Meet as well with a mark of 1.97 meters.

Reichenbach was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team in both events.

“My freshman year was very successful in many aspects and was overall a great year,” Reichenbach said. “It was a year where I learned a lot of for how to make next year even better. All my accomplishments were awesome to achieve and hopefully many more to come.”

His indoor season was almost just as successful despite being on a college campus a few short months. Reichenbach placed second in the long jump (6.92 meters) at the Atlantic 10 Indoor Meet, while also placing in the top 11 in the high jump (10th place, 1.89 meters) and triple jump (11th, 12.16 meters).

Better preparation throughout the season may have helped him reach uncharted territory for the Rams.

“I prepared for meets much better in college than in high school,” Reichenbach said. “I was in the training room getting treatment far more often than in high school.”

The Rams placed third as a team at the Atlantic 10 Outdoor Meet with 128 points, only behind George Mason (174.5) and VCU (141).