By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
Kyleigha Fenwick was seven years old, just starting grade school in St. Joseph when her dad, Tyler, got the call to become the head football coach at Missouri S&T in 2013.
He had been Missouri Western's offensive coordinator since 2007.
Less than 10 years later, the Fenwick family was back in St. Joseph, as Tyler became Missouri Western's head football coach in December 2022.
Kyleigha, the oldest of the three Fenwick siblings, finished her junior year of high school in Durant, Oklahoma and enrolled at Central in 2023.
Having been a standout tennis player at Durant High, Fenwick joined the Indians' this past fall, helping Central to nine team victories. Fenwick herself was able to reach district quarterfinals in singles.
"It was hard at first," Fenwick admitted. "Just like going to the first couple of practices and meeting new people. But, I loved the team and I feel like we all got along really well and that made it a lot easier."
What's more, Fenwick's ability caught the eye of Missouri Western women's tennis coach Alejandro de la Torre.
Fenwick has now signed to play for de la Torre and the Griffons next year.
"I had a conversation with (De La Torre) a couple of weeks ago," Fenwick said. "That's what made me want to play and get to keep playing tennis."
Fenwick joins a Griffitas team that's been reaching historic heights the last couple of years.
Missouri Western won the Central Region championship for the first time ever last May, beating Northwest Missouri State and reaching the Sweet 16. The Griffons have raced out to an 11-1 start this season as well.
It's a Griffon team with just one American born player on roster currently - junior Ellie Messenger - an Arkansas City, Kansas native.
"They're so good this year and they're fun to watch," Fenwick added. "I'm really excited to meet them all and learn about where they've been. I met Ellie. I love her. She's so sweet."
Kyleigha has often accompanied her dad at football games through the years, including at Missouri Western. Now that she'll be enrolled as a student-athlete there, she hopes that trend continues.
"It's going to be interesting I think," she grinned. "Hopefully, it will go well."
You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.