Nov 20th – The Sojourn’s Athlete of the Week, presented by Amplify Media, is Riley Fuqua from the Indiana Wesleyan Men’s Tennis team.
Fuqua is a junior from Gas City, IN, and a graduate of Mississinewa HS.
“I found so much joy in tennis and in all the opportunities and friendships it had brought to me. I wanted to continue to find that joy,” Fuqua said. “Coming [to IWU], I’ve been able to expand that and grow with opportunities and find that I play in Christ now.”
Fuqua finished his fall competition at the ITA Midwest Regional Tournament, where he won during the quarterfinal.
“His calm demeanor brings a lot of peace and security to the team. We work well together because we are both driven to see improvement, draw people nearer to Him, and try and bring the best out of everyone we come in contact with,” Head Coach James Gleghorn.
Fuqua competed in No. 1 doubles against Mt. Vernon and won 6-1 this fall.
“I asked him to really focus on his doubles skills, as he had so much potential to be an impact player for us. He has played so much doubles over the last few years,” Coach Gleghorn said. “He is one of our top doubles players and he is continuing to improve his singles play.”
With the roster being argyle underclassmen, Fuqua has shifted his mindset on approaching the team.
“I’m one [of two] upperclassmen on the guys’ side,” Fuqua said. “Being a leader has been so different, [with] leading and showing all of the young guys who we are and what we do here. It’s been a great experience, but it is also so good for our future.”
Freshman teammate Eli LaGrange sees Fuqua’s leadership as a captain crucial to the team’s success.
“He’s always in a good mood. That always starts the practice off right when the team captain’s doing that. He just has a great vibe and energy about him. It makes you stocked to play,” LaGrange said. “He’s one of those kids who always leaves it all out there when you go and watch him play doubles.”
Fuqua and Coach Gleghorn have stepped into uncharted territory and new experiences as they lead and coach a team that has historically been older.
“Riley has grown so much over the last few years as a player, person, leader, and Christian,” Coach Gleghorn said. “He has had a lot of spiritual influence on the team as well as being a player than brings people together.”
The Wildcats take the court in 2025 for regular season and NAIA National Championships.
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