Being grounded in life is something Wyketha Harrell is used to. Harrell, senior psychology major, grew up in the military while her father served in the Air Force.

She had the opportunity to live and visit different places.

“I’m claiming Kansas City, that’s where we ended up at,” she said. “I’m really a military brat; we moved around a lot.”

Her family is spread around a little. Harrell has two nephews, one in Kansas City and the other in Utah. She also has a niece in South Dakota.

She has two brothers, Jeremy who lives in South Dakota and Michael who lives in Kansas City.

On the basketball court, Harrell proves her mettle. Harrell was named honorable mention for all-conference in the MIAA.

“When I was younger, I was quiet and shy,” Harrell said. “Now I am outspoken and opinionated. I am more mature.”

With the accolades and determination on the court, Harrell did not start playing basketball until she was a freshman in high school.

It was the rest of her family that played sports.

“My mom played basketball and softball,” she said. “My dad played basketball in club sports while stationed in Germany. I was a daddy’s girl.”

Other family members played sports as well. Her oldest brother played baseball, and her second oldest brother played football, baseball and basketball.

Harrell plans to continue on in her education when she graduates from Southern.

“I plan to attend the University of North Carolina-Greenfield for graduate school,” she said. “I want to go into sports psychology.”

Harrell said she didn’t want to go into the counseling side of things, but rather do applied research.

She said she wanted to continue working with basketball but would work with any sport.

She hopes to work with Division I schools.

Maryann Mitts, head coach, said Harrell is a pleasure to be around.

“Wyketha is one of the most sensitive, caring, friendly, compassionate, happy people I have ever run across,” Mitts said. “She is a very dynamic lady.”

Missouri Southern is a comfortable place to be, Harrell said.

“I came to Southern from Rockhurst University because Coach Mitts came here,” she said.

Mitts said she thinks as Harrell continues to grow as a person, she is developing a strong personality.

Harrell said she plays basketball for her mom.

“My mom comes to every game,” she said.