Missouri Western women’s tennis coach Ron Selkirk has announced the signing of four more student athletes to the National Letter of Intent for the 2013 season. The Griffons welcome Denise Chiao of Kansas City, Mo., Kelly Cochran of Buckner, Mo., Shayla Roath of Hutchinson, Kan. and Lindsay Beger of Overland Park, Kan. to next year’s squad. They join Meara Smith, Alyssa Dougan and Joey Goers next season as those three signed back in December.
Chiao from Kansas City, Mo. played her high school tennis at Notre Dame de Sion high school. She played all four years for her high school team. The person that has had the greatest impact on her athletic career is her brother Darren who played tennis at UMKC. She is also a solid student who plans on majoring in marketing and digital animation at Western.
“Denise is a high ranking Missouri Valley junior that has continued to move up the rankings and should play in our top 3,” commented Selkirk. “She was also one of the key players on Notre Dame de Sion state championship team,” stated Selkirk.
Cochran from Buckner, Mo. played her high school tennis at Fort Osage High School in Independence, Mo. She had a very accomplished tennis career player playing in the #1 position on her varsity team for three years. She was a sectional qualifier and earned first team all-District honors. She was voted her teams most improved player twice. She is very involved in the community earning numerous awards as well as being in the National Honors Society. She plans on majoring in mathematics at Western.
“Kelly Cochran was the #1 player for Fort Osage High school and a tremendous student (ACT 32) she is an up and coming player that will benefit from the upgrade in competition and should be one our top 6 players next year” commented coach Selkirk.
Roath from Hutchinson, Kan. played her high school tennis at Buhler High School in Buhler, Kan. She has an outstanding tennis career finishing 1st at regionals to go along with two 6th place and a 9th place finish at state. She is also a solid student being on the honor roll. She plans on majoring in physical education at Western.
“Shayla was one of the top high school players in Kansas last year finishing in the top 8 at state and will also benefit from having good practice partners and good competition,” stated Coach Selkirk.
Beger from Overland Park, Kan. played her high school tennis at Shawnee Mission North High School. She lettered in tennis four seasons and soccer one. She was a solid student being a scholar athlete twice. Her greatest sports moment was making the 6A State tournament her senior season. She plans on majoring in elementary education at Western.
“She was the #1 player for Shawnee Mission North, taking over that spot from Ceara Boldridge,” said Coach Selkirk. “She has improved tremendously over the last year and should be fighting for a top 6 spot on our team next year,” stated Selkirk.
— MWSU Sports Information —