Family competes in Final Four

First steps, first pair of cleats, first game. Often, the youngest child reaches life’s milestones years after her older siblings. When field hockey player Kaylor Rosenberry ’18 made it to the NCAA Final Four, her family knew the feeling. All five members of the Rosenberry family—Kaylor, her parents and her two siblings—have played in Final Four tournaments, the men in soccer and the women in field hockey.

The difference, however, is that Kaylor and her team won the championship—Messiah’s first in field hockey.

“I was honored to be a part of the team that could accomplish what so many people before us worked for,” said Kaylor.

This Final Four legacy began with Kaylor’s parents: Rob ’86 and Candy (Hershey) Rosenberry ’88.

While Rob competed in the men’s soccer Final Four in 1986, Candy played as part of Messiah’s first field hockey team to make a championship run in 1984. The team lost in the final game, becoming national runners-up.

It was exciting to be a part of that team,” said Candy. “However, it took on new meaning when I realized that I was a part of the first team to get to the final and Kaylor was a part of the first team to win the championship.

Kaylor and her siblings followed in their parents’ footsteps. Eldest child Kilee (Rosenberry) Rowits ’12 played field hockey for Messiah as part of the 2008-semifinalist team and the 2009 and 2010 runners-up. 

Six years after Kilee’s run, Kaylor took a turn.

“I was so proud and happy for Kaylor as well as the team,” said Kilee. “It takes a lot of hard work and dedication, and it was very exciting to see it finally pay off.”

Where it began

While raising—and coaching—their three children, Rob and Candy worked to establish a mindset of effort over outcome.

“We constantly told our children that in any team sport, they may not control who ultimately wins or loses the game,” said Rob, “but they can control the effort they give on the field.”

Rob, a marketing grad and human resources director at Berks County Intermediate Unit coached son Keegan in soccer for years. Candy, a physical education teacher at Locust Grove Campus of the Lancaster Mennonite School System in Lancaster, Pa., coached both daughters in field hockey.

One at Georgetown

Keegan graduated from Georgetown University with a business management degree in 2015. What was it like to attend a D.C. school in a family of Falcons? He says he received full support from his parents.

“Messiah has one of the top college soccer programs in the country at any level,” said Rob, “but a high school player should reflect on his personal goals and aspirations for his college education and playing career.”

In his freshman year, Keegan started every game, went to the Final Four and then advanced to the championship game in 2012.Ultimately, Georgetown lost.

“My next three years at school I realized how lucky I was,” he said, “as we never made it to a national championship again.”

He is, however, still playing soccer, starting his second year with Major League Soccer team the Philadelphia Union.

Looking ahead

What’s next for Kaylor?

As a team, we can only hope to set the stage for the future Messiah field hockey teams the way my mom, sister and all of the women did when they paved the way for us,” said Kaylor. “But last year’s success will not matter once preseason arrives.

As the second generation continues athletic excellence, a third might be waiting on the sidelines. In 2016, Kilee gave birth to a daughter, Ivy, who already has her own hockey stick and soccer ball.

“We, of course, would love her to follow in our footsteps and love athletics as much as we all do,” said Kilee, “but she can of course choose her own path.”

— Jake Miaczynski ’20