Senior wing and defender Jaci Floyd has spent eight years in soccer, but the Durant High School standout says the game has given her far more than wins and goals. It has shaped how she sees teamwork, leadership and the people who have always been in her corner.
Floyd, a senior for the Lady Lions, said her biggest inspiration has never been a famous player on TV but the person cheering the loudest from the stands. “My mom is my biggest inspiration,” Floyd said. “Since I could talk, I have always wanted to do the craziest things. From showing animals, to racing race cars, to playing soccer she has always been down for it and without hesitation was always in the crowd to cheer me on.”
That support, Floyd said, has been especially meaningful during the tougher stretches of her life. “During the hardest parts of my life my mom has picked me up, put me back together and told me how important I am,” she said. “She works hard every day to provide the best life for me and my brothers. She never turns down a chance to help.”
On the field, Floyd has grown into one of Durant’s most versatile players, logging time both on the wing and in the back line. She said the demands of playing wide have given her a deep appreciation for the position. “I would say wing is one of the toughest positions because they run a lot,” Floyd said.
Soccer, she added, has reinforced how much a team depends on every player on the field. “It has taught me that teamwork is very important — you have to be able to trust your team,” Floyd said. “In soccer there are 11 players on the team, they all have to be used at some point in the game. You have to be able to trust that they will do their part.”
Floyd credits former Durant standout Kylie Fox for helping her learn that lesson early. “A former teammate I look up to is Kylie Fox,” Floyd said. “She took me under her wing my freshman year and was very helpful when I was moved to defense. She is one of my best friends and I’m very thankful for her.”
Away from the pitch, Floyd enjoys doing art and spending time with her animals, and in the classroom, she lists Mr. and Mrs. Adams among her favorite teachers. As her senior season unfolds, she carries her mom’s example, her teammates’ trust and eight years of experience into every match for Durant.
