New Oxford's Brayden Billman adds long jump medal to PIAA Class 3A triple jump gold
Brayden Billman was expected to win a state gold medal.
He was the top seed in the Class 3A long jump and triple jump after winning both titles in the District 3 meet. The New Oxford junior did not disappoint.
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Billman edged the competition in the PIAA triple jump in the first day of competition at Shippensburg University by hitting 47 feet, 5 inches. He finished fifth in the long jump on Day 2.
Billman was hoping to improve on his triple jump PR at districts, but ended up hitting it on the head at 47-10.25.
"So, we have plenty of room to improve," he said after receiving his district gold. "Plenty of room to improve."
That improvement didn't come on a drizzly morning with temps hovering in the 50s. Not exactly ideal jumping weather, but Billman said it's something you just have to put out of your mind.
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"I want to say it's difficult [to jump in these conditions]," he said, "but really it's just a mindset. You handle it or not. I can handle it whatever the weather is, cold, hot, raining, blizzard, it doesn't matter."
More: Bermudian Springs' Lily Carlson adds Class 3A state title, PIAA record to resume
Billman was the last jumper to start his event. He stood around for more than an hour, stretching, warming up and running through his approach. It turns out he could have stopped after his first jump.
As a half-dozen competitors fouled in front of him, Billman hit his winning jump on his first attempt. He tried to replicate that, but only came as close as 47-1 on his last jump.
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He thought he would have to do better than 47-5.
"Honestly, I didn't think it was going to hold up," Billman said. "I thought either [Xavier] Midder or Jonah [Stucchio] was gonna pop out one there. But surprisingly it held up."
Grove City's Stucchio popped a 47-1.75 on his last jump to finish second and Midder 45-10.25 to take third.
Billman said winning gold helps wash out the bitter taste from last year when he didn't jump his best and finished off of the podium. It was the motivation that pushed his workouts in the offseason and in preparing for this year's meet.
Billman admitted to not having the pop he needed in Saturday's long jump, but he was thrilled to come away with another state medal.
New Oxford's Brayden Billman competes toward gold in the 3A triple jump during the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University on Friday, May 23, 2025.
And like he did in the triple jump, he hit his best distance on his first attempt.
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"I don't know what it is," he said about his successful first jumps. "The adrenaline hits me, and I just go farther."
Reading's Xavier Beatty, who finished second to Billman in the District 3 meet, hit 24-4 on his fifth attempt to win gold. Downingtown West's Andrew Ernst was the only other entrant to pass 24 feet at 24-0.75.
Billman is already looking ahead to the start of football season but the three-sport athlete isn't quite finished with track and field. He still has the New Balance nationals in June, where he's qualified for long and triple jump.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: PIAA track and field: New Oxford senior wins Class 3A triple jump gold
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