Jaci Decker has been playing soccer for the last decade. She has started for the Bartlesville Lady Bruins varsity team since her freshman year as well as playing for the Northeastern Oklahoma Futball club team (NEOFC). Although only a junior, the attacking midfielder has earned a number of honors including academic all-conference the last two years and being selected to play in Barcelona, Spain, in Alabama on the Oklahoma team for Oklahoma Development League, and for US Club Soccer’s player development program.
“My favorite memories of competing in soccer have to be playing with my teammates,” said Decker. “We have all been playing together since we were six or seven and it’s been so fun growing with them in and out of soccer.”
Decker is also involved in student council, National Honor Society, and HOSA-Future Health Professionals all while prioritizing her education and character off the soccer field.
“She has three siblings that all are inspired by her hard work, determination, and her motivation to push herself to the top,” said Decker’s mom, Sheryl. “She helps with the younger kids within our club learning the fundamentals of soccer and has gained many little admirers over the years. She focuses on her education and maintains a 3.8 in all AP classes while also taking BioMed at Tri-County Tech in Bartlesville.”
The admiration between siblings goes both ways, as Decker says she is highly motivated by her younger brother.
“I would say my brother motivates me to be my best,” she said. “He is three years younger than me, and we always make everything a competition which encourages us to do better.”
A VYPE Hometown Hero nominee, Decker is dedicated to her community.
“I am involved with helping in our community by volunteering for events going on in our town like Santa Shop and helping at town races,” she said. “I also help at little kids’ soccer camps and with the younger teams and helping them understand the basics of soccer.”
After high school, Decker plans to attend college and continue her soccer career.
