Texas softball winning WCWS title is 'dream come true' for Caddo alum Jaycie Nichols
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The Nichols family grew up supporting the Oklahoma Sooners, but when it comes to their daughters' passion, school colors no longer mattered.
Jaycie Nichols grew up in Durant, 150 miles south of Oklahoma City. She was a multi-sport star at Caddo High School — winning four fastpitch softball state championships, three slowpitch state titles, one in the long jump and making it to the state semifinals twice in basketball.
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But when it came to choosing a college, Nichols went with burnt orange over crimson and cream. On Thursday night at Devon Park, the Texas freshman infielder helped lead the Longhorns to a 4-1 win over Texas Tech and a second straight NCAA softball title in the Women's College World Series.
There aren't many Longhorn sympathizers in Durant, but Nichols found a connection with coach Mike White and the team.
"Coach White is very knowledgeable," Nichols told The Oklahoman after winning the title. "They really welcomed me on and the team was amazing. Austin really did feel like home and I'm so glad I chose to go there."
Nichols' family didn't bat an eye when she made her decision. Her older sister, Jordyn, is a sophomore at Murray State College, while her younger sister, Joslyn, also plays softball.
All Cody Nichols wants is for the family to stay united.
"We live and breathe (softball) from a young age," said Jaycie's father, Cody. "It doesn't matter what they do as long as we can all be together — that was the goal. We have a lot of great memories softball has given us and we have met a lot of amazing people."
Jaycie, an infielder who typically bats ninth in the Texas batting order, let the tears flow when her parents hugged her in the field after the win. In her first appearance in the WCWS, she scored four runs, including two in the Wednesday's Game 1 win against Texas Tech.
"I couldn't ask for a better feeling," said Jaycie, who hit .322 in 63 games as a freshman. "Coming home, doing what I've been dreaming of since I was a little kid, it's a dream come true."
Her father also struggled to find the words to describe the moment.
"This is the ultimate goal," Cody said. "When they're at a young age, things they dream about, you never really think it could come true, it's surreal. I don't even know what to say."
Cody and Marsha, Jaycie's mom, try to spend their time between Jaycie's game in Austin and Jordyn's games in Tishomingo. Jaycie said her parents attended at least half of her games during the season.
The drive from Durant to Austin typically takes four and a half to five hours.
"It's not too far," Cody said. "She's always wanted to play at the highest level. It's something she's strived to do. We're never ones to hold her back, to try to keep her closer to home. We promoted it, just go on as high as you wanna go and we're all in."
Now, taking home a national championship, all of the long drives and sleepless nights came in full circle.
"We're all super grateful," Jaycie said.
Isa Almeida is a trending reporter for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Isa? She can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @ialmeidasports. Support Isa's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Caddo alum Jaycie Nichols wins first WCWS title with Texas softball