Track and field is part of Cyrus Jacobs’ family history.

His mother and father, Shekerah and Cyrus Jacobs Sr., were track athletes when they attended Lincoln High School, and his mother won the 400-meter at the state championship in 1995. It’s something he practices on and off the PNG track. That extra work, along with his faith, is the secret to his speed.

“First off, I read the Bible, so that keeps me mentally stable,” Jacobs said. “I work out with the school, and I work out with my dad. I was getting extra work in, working hard during practice trying to give it my all. I go through lifting, keeping my body right, trying not to eat too many sweets or bad food. I always drink water and a lot of Gatorade, and I try to get a lot of rest.”

Jacobs won the 200-meter and 800-meter at PNG’s Joe Williamson Relays on Thursday. He was part of PNG’s 4×100 relay team that also won. He is this week’s Port Arthur News Boys Athlete of the Week.

Track coach Mike Ballew said it’s refreshing to see someone come to track specifically for the sport itself, since many of his runners come from football.

“He was in a little bit of basketball at the beginning of the year but he really just wants to concentrate on track,” Ballew said. “At PNG we really haven’t had that many straight track kids, so that’s a unique situation. He’s done a great job coming out here and being a leader. Even though he’s not one of the older kids he’s still stepping up. He’s taken up the leadership role.”

Jacobs, a sophomore, is considering taking up basketball too, though.

“I’ve got to work on my game a little bit more before I just come out and play for the school,” he said. “I’m going to be working on my game in basketball over the summer, getting a little bit stronger, and obviously working on track in the summer, as well.”

His goals are to reach state in the 400 and 800, races his parents ran in when they were in high school. He’d like to run under 48 seconds in the 400 and 1:55 in the 800.

“I’m striving for a lot but I think I can get there,” he said. “I’ve just got to stay humble and keep God first.”

Like his mother did, Jacobs also wants to run for a Division I college.

“The goal right there is to run track in college, because my mom ran track for Northwestern State University,” he said. “I like Northwestern, I like University of Texas and I like Texas A&M, so I keep those in mind.”

The 400 in particular is his favorite race.

“Coming around that curb for the last 100, I start to pump my arms,” he said. “I know I’ve got to kick it in, give it all I got, finish the race strong.”