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State champ Dillard transfers from Gettysburg


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One of the YAIAA's top basketball and track and field athletes is no longer competing in the area.

Ravaughn Dillard, who won back-to-back state championships in the triple jump the past two seasons, transferred from Gettysburg to North Hagerstown High School in Maryland for his senior year this summer. The transfer was confirmed by Gettysburg basketball coach Jeff Bair and track and field coach Brandon Guiher.

On the basketball court, Dillard was an athletic forward who became known around the league last season for his impressive dunking ability. After receiving significant playing time as a sophomore, he started last season as a junior and averaged 12 points per game to help lead the Warriors to the state playoffs. He was also previously a member of the Gettysburg football team.

But it was track and field where Dillard really made his mark at Gettysburg. He won a state championship in the triple jump as a sophomore by jumping 47 feet, 11 inches and then repeated the feat last season by leaping 48-7. The mark is a Gettysburg record.

"It's devastating," Guiher said. "You've got a two-time state champion and now he's out of the state. It affects us tremendously and obviously the basketball team and really the football team too. I don’t know that we can replace him. I guess you have to look at it like if he graduated, just a year early. We have to move on."

Dillard was also a standout in multiple other events, ranking among the best in the YAIAA last season in the long jump (22-3) and the high jump (6-5). He played wide receiver and defensive back for the North Hagerstown football team this fall.

Guiher said he hasn't spoken to Dillard since last spring, having learned of his transfer from someone else at Gettysburg this summer. He said he wishes his former athlete well and hopes to still follow his athletic career.

"It’s unfortunate but there are factors you can’t account for," Guiher  said. "He had a good attitude, loved to compete, loved competition and was good to work with. We wish him luck."