Breakout season for Brentwood’s Daysaun Spencer leads to WPIAL, PIAA gold

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, June 22, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Brentwood’s Daysaun Spencer had an incredible outdoor track and field season as a sophomore in 2025.

The 16-year-old Spencer was both the WPIAL and PIAA the boys triple jump champion in Class 2A and holds the school record in the event — which he broke three times this spring.

“I’m extremely proud of the hard work Daysaun put in this season,” Brentwood coach Dave Pavlecic said. “His dedication really paid off. Not only did he break the school record in the triple jump, but he also tied the school record in the long jump. That’s a tremendous accomplishment for any athlete, especially a sophomore.

“Coming into the season, I knew Daysaun was motivated. He talked about wanting to get his name up on the banners in the gym and set new records. With his determination and strong work ethic, he absolutely met and even exceeded those expectations.”

The dual-sport athlete won the WPIAL title May 16 at Slippery Rock University by breaking his previous school record with a mark of 46 feet, 7.75 inches.

Spencer also competed in the 100-meter dash, long jump and was the team’s anchor runner in the 400 relay at the district meet. He was joined by senior Forrest Betz, sophomore Orlando Johnson and freshman Taariq Miller in the relay.

Spencer followed up his impressive performance in the WPIAL triple jump with a winning distance of 45-5.75 at the PIAA finals a week later at Shippensburg University.

“One thing that sets Daysaun apart is his ability to jump off either foot, which is rare in this event,” Pavlecic said. “Typically, athletes have a dominant take-off leg, but he’s shown versatility and adaptability. I told him he needed to make a mark on his first jump, and even though he usually jumps off his left foot, he made the adjustment and exploded off his right. That kind of athletic instinct and fearlessness is what makes him special.”

Winning the state title was the Brentwood underclassman’s No. 1 goal for the outdoor season.

“It feels good,” Spencer said. “I put in the work and had the determination. I’m very happy and it felt amazing to celebrate with my family afterwards.”

His early goal for the 2026 outdoor track season?

“To do it all again,” Spencer said.

The 5-foot-8, 165-pound record-setter finished first all but once in 2025 while competing in the triple jump, starting with a 41-10 distance at the Spartans’ scrimmage March 12 at Clairton.

Spencer won the event at invitationals at Mt. Lebanon (46-2.5) and Chartiers-Houston (43-7.5) and against regular-season opponents McGuffey, South Park, Chartiers-Houston, Carlynton, Burgettstown and Keystone Oaks.

Spencer placed second to Grove City junior Jonah Stucchio at the Baldwin Invitational despite triple-jumping a distance of 45-10.

“After such a successful season in the triple jump, I fully expect Daysaun to remain at the top.” Pavlecic said. “But keep an eye on him in the long jump, as well. I believe he’s just getting started there, and he’s going to make even bigger waves next year.”

Spencer said the biggest influence in his athletic career has been his cousin Amire Spencer, a wide receiver for Brentwood as a freshman and sophomore before transferring to Serra Catholic. He graduated from Serra in 2023, joined the Clarion University football program for two years and is now in the transfer portal.

“He was the No. 1 receiver in the WPIAL at Serra Catholic,” Daysaun said. “He influenced me when we were young because he was winning a lot of awards. He was nice at football and wrestling and seeing him play made want to do sports badly. Being with him influenced me as an athlete to really go get it.”

Two other Brentwood students qualified for this year’s WPIAL track and field championships, both in the high jump — junior Cedric Davis and freshman Reagan Aston-Reese.

“Beyond individual accomplishments, the athletes on the team built lasting friendships and fostered an encouraging environment where teammates motivated and cheered each other on to reach new heights,” Pavlecic said. “The dedication and perseverance displayed by every athlete made this season a memorable one.”

Spencer and his older brother Daymire were teammates on the Brentwood football team last fall. Daymire (6-0, 230) was a three-year starter in the trenches and two-time all-conference selection.

The younger of the two Spencer siblings started at wide receiver and defensive back; one of his top performances in 2024 came against Jeannette when he returned a fumble 70 yards for a touchdown and had two receptions for 146 yards and a score.

“Daysaun wants to be great,” said Nick Caponi, Brentwood’s football coach. “He never takes a rep off in the weight room, on the practice field or during a game. He is one of the hardest workers on the team and is constantly striving to get better.

“He’s explosive and can be a game-breaker, so our plan is to get the ball in his hands as much as possible this season.”

Caponi watched Spencer with a special interest during the spring track season. The Spartans coach was thoroughly impressed.

“To do what he did during track season is special,” Caponi said. “I think this just speaks of his overall athleticism and his motivation to be great at everything he does. I’m not sure if he fully realizes what he accomplished but there are only a few people in the history of Brentwood High School to win an individual state championship, and the fact that he accomplished this as a sophomore is impressive.

“Daysaun is very humble; he wouldn’t even mention to you that he just won a state championship. He’s always looking for that next moment, and I think that humbleness helps drive him to never settle for anything but his best.”

The Spartans returned to the WPIAL football playoffs last season thanks to a fifth-place finish in the Class A Eastern Conference.

With nine starters expected back in 2025, Caponi is hoping to expand upon last year’s playoff experience.

“We are very excited for the season,” Caponi said. “We have had a great offseason in the weight room, and we are looking forward to building off last season’s playoff appearance and taking the next step.

“We participated in the 7-on-7 tournament at Washington & Jefferson and had a few other 7-on-7s scheduled throughout the month of June. The big guys also are getting some love this summer. A few of our linemen participated in the Joe Moore lineman camp at West Allegheny in June (and will participate) in a few other big man challenges in July.”

Along with Daysaun Spencer (WR/RB/DB), Brentwood returning starters include QB/DB Cedric Davis, TE/LB Blaize Dias, RB/LB Nicky Wardzinski, WR/DB Amir Mack and linemen Anthony Henry, Ray Rieber, Giovanni Miller and Sean Gallman.

Davis, Dias and Henry will be seniors; Spencer, the fastest player on the team, Mack, Rieber and Miller are rising juniors; Wardzinski and Gallman will be sophomores.

Following football season, Spencer spends the winter months in the weight room.

“I lift for football in the winer,” he said. “I do have plans on playing basketball this winter though.”

Much like his 2026 track expectation, Spencer has a simple goal for the upcoming football season at Brentwood.

“To make playoffs,” he said.

Tags: Brentwood