Storm Center: Military experience transforms Tejeda's tennis game

FORT LEONARD WOOD — Kennett High School senior tennis player Christi Tejeda graduated from basic training on Thursday, Aug. 24.

It was an accomplishment gained through sweat equity, which is something Tejeda knows a thing or two about.

PVT Tejeda graduated from Alpha Company, the 787th Military Police Battalion. Family and friends attended the graduation exercise.

Christi Tejeda already has plenty of military experience, completing basic training at Fort Leonard Wood and participating in drills at both Dexter and Cape Girardeau.(Photo submitted by the Tejeda family)

Staff Sergeant Elijah King, a recruiter for the Missouri Army National Guard office based in Dexter, opened the door for Tejeda’s venture into the military.

King, the husband of Risco head volleyball coach Jessie King, encouraged Tejeda to think about the opportunity, and Christi ultimately said “yes.”

“This is something that I wanted to experience,” Tejeda said in a telephone interview with the sports editor, “so I enlisted for six years.”

Here's a look at what's covered under the United States Army's basic training program. (Graphic submitted by the United States Army)

Beginning last spring, Tejeda participated in drills at Dexter and in overnight sessions at Cape Girardeau.

During drills, Tejeda said she received information, completed an intense physical fitness test and learning how to throw a grenade using a tennis ball. Imagine that.

The fitness test certainly isn’t easy. Tejeda had to complete a two-mile run, a series of dead lifts, a 90-second plank, standing power throw and something that’s called a “sprint drag carry.”

During drills, she also learned about other combat skills and how to clear a room during an emergency situation.

A typical summer for Tejeda had been working as a lifeguard at Sheryl Crow Aquatic Center and swimming for the Kennett Killer Whales specializing in the freestyle.

However, Tejeda’s 2023 summer was much different — beginning her basic training duty on Wednesday, June 14, which also happens to be Flag Day.

The United States Army terms its basic training, “transforming civilians into soldiers.”

“For me, personally, it was fun,” Tejeda said. “There was nothing I couldn’t do.”

She struggled with the mental aspect of the training; however, Tejeda said that’s something which improved with time.

“It was a great experience for me,” she said. “I was able to meet new people from lots of different states.”

Drill sergeants are there to put a burden on you through the concept of “corrective training.”

Tejeda’s day began between 4:30-5 a.m., and she was in her barracks bunk between 8-8:30 p.m. — a continuous cycle that lasted 10 weeks.

Getting up early wasn’t anything new for her since she typically had weightlifting at the high school at 5:30 a.m., or early-morning practices with the Killer Whales. It’s something that was instilled in her.

She returned from basic training, and transformed into one of the top singles tennis players in the entire region.

“She’s just a strong player,” Kennett head coach Janet Hilburn said. “She showed up in the best shape of anyone on the whole team. She spent her basic training beating a lot of the boys.”

Tejeda returned from basic training, and immediately began fulfilling the 14 practice sessions the Missouri State High School Activities Association requires before a player may embark on play.

She participated in the Sikeston Individual Tournament on Sept. 7, the location and date of her only singles loss this season.

Tejeda then claimed the SEMO Conference, district and — this past weekend — sectional championships. She will now compete in the singles draw at the MSHSAA state tournament in Springfield Friday and Saturday.

During the SEMO Tournament, she was unseeded. But that didn’t deter Tejeda, who defeated No. 1 seed Kaitlyn Booker from Poplar Bluff.

Basic training paid off. Tejeda used her endurance to power past Booker by scores of 7-6 (7-0), 4-6, 10-3.

“I played my hardest,” she said. “My shoulder was hurting, but I pushed through. I thought I was good enough to be seeded.”

This has been an incredible season for Tejeda, which included taking freshman Olivia Rebstock under her wing and showing her the ropes of varsity competition. She’s one of two seniors on the roster along with Maddi Johnson.

Sunday, Tejeda practiced at Wheatley Courts.

The moment was both symbolic and allegorical, with the sun setting in the western sky like a painting.

Tejeda said Hilburn has given her pointers on what to expect playing at state, on the grand stage of the Cooper Tennis Complex.

In addition to playing tennis, Tejeda is a post/guard combination for Kennett girls basketball and she participates in distance runs and throws for Indian track and field.

“She’s a good kid, and a hard worker,” Kennett head track and field coach Andrew Webster said. “She’s a busy young lady, and she’s done a lot of neat things in her life. I think she’s going to be successful in this world.”

So, what’s next for Tejeda from the military perspective?

Next summer, she’ll return to Fort Leonard Wood for what’s called advanced individual training — in which soldiers increase their fitness and competency in her military occupational specialty.

Tejeda is expecting a promotion in rank during drills in the coming weeks.

Editor’s Note: This column doesn’t necessarily reflect the views of the Delta Dunklin Democrat, Concord House Publishing or Rust Communications. The views are solely that of the author.

INFORMATION

BASIC TRAINING

United States Army

The Rundown

Yellow Phase: Introduction to the Army profession, values and culture. This part takes place during the first two weeks.

Red Phase: Warrior tasks and physical performance, which occurs during the third and fourth weeks.

White Phase: The task is competence, which involves mainly individual skills and proficiency, during the fifth through seventh week.

Blue Phase: This is when the soldier ultimately becomes committed or not. They learn battle drills and work on team performance from the eighth through the 10th week.

Note: A complete list of learned tasks may be found in a graphic with this story at semoball.com.