PORT NECHES — A lifelong dream was realized in December when Jacie Droddy signed with Texas A&M for track and field.

That only made the Port Neches-Groves senior want to achieve more.

Droddy has built a long list of championships in her high school career. She’s won both district and area titles in the long jump each of the last three years.

“Without a doubt, she is the most decorated athlete I have on the track team,” Indians coach Brittany Fruge said.

A gold medal in the 5A Region III long jump, naturally, would be the next big addition to Droddy’s list. She earned silver in last year’s region meet to Ennis’ Paige Lemonia and placed sixth in the 5A state meet. Droddy was fifth in the state as a sophomore.

Despite her gold run in 2019 — Droddy also has won the District 21-5A and Area 11-5A 100 and 200 meters this year — she’s said the pressure she’s placed on herself to exceed expectations for an A&M signee hindered her distance. She set a personal best of 19 feet, 3.25 inches, in the 2018 District 22-5A meet. At this year’s district meet, Droddy jumped 17-7.25.

But she’s found a cure for the pressure — having fun. She said that helped her jump further in the area meet (17-10).

“This year, I’ve just focused on having fun,” she said. “I know I’m capable of it. It’s just when I go out there, have fun with it and just not get in my head. That’s what I’m focusing on this meet, is just relax and go at it without, you know, any nerves and stuff.”

A solid long jump could set a positive tone for Droddy in a search for her first Region III gold medals in both the 100 and 200 meters (area times were 12.04 and 25.34 seconds, respectively). Freshman Sanaria Butler trains with Droddy, and the partnership seems to pay off as Butler is competing in the 400 meters and triple jump at the 5A Region III meet.

“When we’re practicing, I put them in the same heats together just so Sanaria can see what her actual potential is,” Fruge said. “I think coming in, she was unaware of what she was capable of doing. Having Jacie come and train with her has really brought out her potential and made her eligible to qualify in two events.”

The future of PNG girls track is apparently in good hands with Butler. For now, Droddy is trying to add to her legacy of honors before heading to College Station, one jump and one sprint at a time.

“I know I’m good at it for a reason,” Droddy said. “I’m going to A&M. Also, it’s my senior year, and I don’t want to spend my senior year being stressed. I’ve just been trying to have fun with it.”

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I.C. Murrell: 721-2435. Twitter: @ICMurrellPANews