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Silsbee's Raydrian Baltrip competes in the triple jump event Wednesday during Tiger Relays.
Silsbee ISD photo

The Baltrip last name is becoming synonymous with triple jump success at Silsbee High School.

Four years ago, Raymond Baltrip qualified for the state track and field meet in Austin, breaking Silsbee's triple jump school record along the way. His younger brother, Raydrian, was watching closely.

"He was always beating me," Raydrian recalled of his brother's success. "I told him I was going to get him back."

Raydrian now believes that it's his time to make an appearance at the UIL state meet, which will take place May 11-13 at the University of Texas. The Silsbee junior has good reason to feel confident.

He kept his promise to break his brother's school record last year. This season, Raydrian seems to be surpassing his own personal best every time he jumps.

With an attempt of 47 feet, 9 inches Wednesday during the Tiger Relays, Raydrian added to his own school record as he prepared for the fast-approaching postseason.

"He's broken his own record three times this year," said Cory Harrison, Silsbee's head track and field coach. "One thing about Raydrian is that he's all in, all the time."

Raydrian's latest record-breaking jump came on his third attempt at the Tiger Relays. He had just jumped 47 feet, 3 inches on the attempt prior, but thought he had more to give.

He was right.

"I told coach, 'I think I got it again,'" Raydrian recalled of the third jump. "Sure enough, that's what happened."

Harrison knows all about what it takes to get to the state meet. He coached Raymond during the 2019 Class 4A triple jump event in which the older Baltrip brother placed sixth with a jump of 45 feet, 5 inches.

That same year, Honestee Holman won the Class 4A girls triple jump state championship for Silsbee.

Raydrian's numbers have him on pace to qualify for state, but it's no guarantee. He could have very well made the trip to Austin last year if not for three other athletes jumping over 48 feet at the Class 4A regional meet.

Although triple jump is his best event, Raydrian does a little bit of everything for the Silsbee track and field team. He competes in the long jump and is a member of the Tigers relay squad. He's also on Silsbee's football team.

A windy day and a few missteps kept Raydrian from breaking his school record again on Thursday at the Little Cypress-Mauriceville meet. His attention now turns to the district championship event on Monday at West Orange-Stark.

Raydrian hopes Monday is the start of his postseason journey to the state meet, just like his brother did.

"He's a Baltrip, and that's a big name in Silsbee," Harrison said. "His numbers are right there as far as making state, and I'm just blessed to be his coach."

MFaye@BeaumontEnterprise.com

Twitter.com/mattGfaye