The senior distance ace has put together an outstanding track and field and cross-country career for the Raiders. Birnbaum was the 2021-22 Gatorade South Dakota boys track and field and cross-country athlete of the year. Last season, he became the 17th high school boy in history to break four minutes in the mile run (3:59.51) to win the mile at the Brooks PR Invitational. 

Birnbaum set a state record when he finished second in the 800-meter run in 1:50.12 at Nike Outdoor Nationals, and he produced another state-best mark with a winning time of 8:55.22 in the 3,200-meter run at the Howard Wood Relays. He swept the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 at the Class AA state meet, leading the Raiders to a second-place finish as a team. 

He captured the past two Class AA state cross-country individual championships.