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Kennett's Emma Tinnin signs with Missouri State-West Plains
KENNETT, Mo. - Emma Tinnin sat at the table before the KHS Indians banner, embracing a moment she has been waiting for her entire high school career.
This table and this banner are prompted and used for one thing at Kennett High School; a college signing. As Tinnin sat in front of her family, teammates and coaches preparing to sign her letter of intent to play softball at Missouri State West Plains, her eyes filled with tears.
“That says it all right there,” Athletic Director Seth McBroom said as he watched Tinnin and the entire eyes form heartfelt tears. “That’s what sports is all about. She doesn’t get here in front of this banner without putting in hours and hours of dedication.”
On Nov. 13, Tinnin announced her verbal commitment to play at Missouri State University-West Plains where she rejoins her former teammate Hadley Wilson.
Tinnin’s emotions were filled with all of the work she put in to get to play on the collegiate level.
“This is a bit life-changing,” Tinnin said. “But I’m ready to compete at the next level. Hadley and I played great ball together and knowing someone there that I’ve already played with is good and I’m excited to play with her again.”
Tinnin enters her senior season at Kennett already holding many accolades and accomplishments from her first three years.
As a freshman, Tinnin was a part of a stacked Indians roster and took the vital position as the team’s catcher. She aided the team to a third-place showing at the State Tournament and a 22-8 record.
“She took that role as a freshman, which isn’t easy to do,” head coach Logan Dollins said. “She hasn’t looked back since. She’s had a great career here at Kennett.”
She has won First-Team All-Conference and First-Team All-District each year she has played with the Indians. She is also a 3x First-Team All-Region selection and a 2x Second-Team All-State selection for Missouri.
“If you don’t know anything about the state of Missouri, there are some solid catchers here,” Dollins said. “So to be up there named as one of the best just proves that Emma is really something special.”
Tinnin went on to help her team win second place at the Class 2 State Tournament this past season with a 25-9 record. During her time playing at Kennett, Tinnin has only faced 26 losses in her high school career compared to winning a total of 70 games.
“This is a bittersweet moment for me as a coach,” Dollins said. “You are moving on to meet new friends and make a new family in aspects of the game. We hate to see her go, but we love that we were able to her to play at the next level. We love that she gets this opportunity, but we still have business to do here this spring.”
Approaching her senior season, Tinnin has already acquired a bronze and silver trophy at the State Championships. Now, she is chasing gold with her teammates.
However, at this time Tinnin embraces her pen with gratitude.
“Everyone here really means a lot to me,” Tinnin said. “All of my coaches have put in a lot of work and time to make me the player I am today. I thank them all for pushing me.”