BEAUMONT — If Tre’vonte Caines’ gold medal in the shot put is any sign, Port Arthur Memorial’s track and field future will remain very bright for at least the next three years.

The past and present look just as great.

Caines, a freshman, earned one of two golds for the Titans on Thursday in the first day of the District 22-5A meet at Babe Zaharias Stadium. The other went to Xavier Hull in the long jump, as the senior led a 1-2-3 finish for the Titans.

Caines threw 47 feet, 4 inches, for his first varsity victory. Jaylen Garth of Port Neches-Groves was second (44-0.25), followed by Desean Somersall of Nederland (44-0).

“I’m not shocked,” he said. “Basically, all you have to do is not think about it. Just do what you’re taught.”

As for being a freshman on a team that was just a state runner-up for the second time in three years in 2017: “It’s very exciting,” Caines said.

Hull, now a two-time district champion, jumped 22-7 in his specialty, but he was well off his personal best of 23-8 on a windy midday at Central High School’s stadium. He envisions himself having a much better finish at the 5A state meet in Austin than he had last year, when he was sixth.

“I’m getting my lift up,” Hull said. “I’m practicing my techniques and getting them down pat.”

Elijah Hines was second with a personal-best 22-5, followed by Jamyus Jones.

“It was wonderful,” Hines said. “We compete against each other and try to beat each other.”

Hines then won the boys triple jump at 43-2. Teammate Alexander Ned was third at 42-2.

Jacie Droddy of Port Neches-Groves set a personal record in the girls’ long jump at 19 feet, 3 1/4 inches. Droddy was fifth at state a year ago.

PNG freshman Grace Richard won the 3,200-meter run, the only running final Thursday. She finished in 12 minutes, 36.3 seconds, 6.66 ahead of Rachel Morrison of Nederland.

Blake Mortera of Nederland won the boys’ 3,200 in 10:28.37. Collin Dietrich of PNG was third.

PNG took the top two places in the high jump, with Preston Riggs and Nik Foreman both jumping 6-2. Riggs won on fewer misses.

Kevon Latulas helped Nederland maintain its dominance in the pole vault. He vaulted 13-6 for the win, with teammates Alec Torres and Colton Beeson taking second and third, respectively.

Cami Gonzales led a Nederland contingent that came in second through fourth in the high jump. Ashley Kimey and Hannah Hickey of Nederland were second and third in the discus throw, and Maya Flax of Memorial was third in the shot put.

Steven Hendrix of Nederland earned silver in the discus throw at 126-0.

Hull will play a part in the Titans’ sprint relays, both the 4×100 and 4×200 teams looking to defend their state championships.

“It’s all fun to me,” Hull said, asked what his favorite event us. “I just like track.”

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