Rawhide Alumnus Captures 2nd State Track Title

June 5, 2006

Reggie Spencer“It’s pretty sweet,” was Reggie Spencer’s remark about capturing first place in the long jump with a leap of 22 feet 4.75 inches, at the WIAA Division 2 state track meet in La Crosse. Spencer now has two state championships, this year’s accomplishment, and his 2005 title in the triple jump event. In addition, Reggie was selected as 2006 Male Track Athlete of the Year by a regional media source. He is an alumnus of Rawhide Boys Ranch in New London and has been living in Fremont for two years with a Rawhide foster family and attending Weyauwega-Fremont High School.

Spencer feels his talent peaked just at the right time for the state meet. He had placed first at the conference track meet in four events including the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, long jump, and triple jump. He excelled at the regional and sectional meets to qualify to go to the state championships. Reggie’s specialties at track are the triple and long jump. His fiercest competitor in these events at the state meet would be John Pimental of Ripon, who edged out Reggie at sectionals in both the long and triple jumps. But the tables turned, and Reggie had his longest jumps ever this year at state, which netted him the championship in the long jump. Despite the great effort in both jumps, Isaac Minor of Ripon captured this year’s triple jump title by a narrow two inches.

Even though Spencer excels at track, his first love is football. After earning his high school diploma, he was awarded a $35,000 football scholarship from the University of Minnesota-Duluth where he will attend this coming fall. He will receive $7,000 per year over five years. Reggie admits that he is anxious to transition to independent living and go to college. The UM-Duluth defensive back coach has been in continual contact with him, and they both are eager for the football season to start for the Bulldogs.

Spencer returned to Rawhide Boys Ranch this summer, but this time as an employee, working as a teacher’s aide. He is tutoring students at Starr Academy (Rawhide’s on-grounds high school). He will also look for opportunities to mentor Rawhide students who come from troubled backgrounds similar to his own.

Located outside of New London, Wisconsin, Rawhide Boys Ranch emphasizes a faith-based traditional family environment and serves at-risk and court-referred young men. Their mission is to inspire and equip at-risk teenage boys to become responsible young men through family-centered care, treatment, and education. Rawhide is largely supported by donations of cars, boats, campers, and financial gifts. Learn more about Rawhide by calling (920) 982-6100 or visiting the website at www.rawhide.org.
Photo Caption:
Reggie Spencer captured this year’s state WIAA Division 2 title in the long jump at the track meet in La Crosse. (File photo courtesy of Mike Roemer.)