Missouri Valley

Q&A: Meet the USTA Missouri Valley officials working the 2025 US Open

Josh Sellmeyer | August 26, 2025

Five officials from USTA Missouri Valley were chosen to work the 2025 US Open, which is occurring Aug. 18 through Sept. 8 in New York City. These standout officials now have 52 years of combined experience working the US Open.

Sheila Conway (USTA Oklahoma) — 5th US Open

Kim Kilgore (USTA Missouri) — 15th US Open

Cheryl Lady (USTA Heart of America) — 8th US Open

Diane Lawrence (USTA Kansas) — 19th US Open

Cindy Ritchie (USTA Oklahoma) — 5th US Open

We asked these five women officials a series of questions to learn more about them and their careers. They are some of the several individuals from USTA Missouri Valley who have a connection to the 2025 US Open, which you can learn more about here.

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What are you most excited about for the 2025 US Open?

Conway: I am excited to see all of my fellow officials from all over the world that I only get to see here at the Open.

Kilgore: I am excited for this year’s US Open because it is my 15th US Open.

Lady: I am very honored to be working the 2025 US Open. I am always excited to see the venue and the many officials that I see—some, only at this event. Each year is a little different, but the atmosphere is like no other.

Lawrence: I always look forward to reconnecting with officiating friends from around the country and the world. This ‘job’ has enabled me to create lifelong friendships with a lot of very special people.

Ritchie: I look forward to seeing my international officials and friends that I haven’t seen in a year. It’s having everyone together at the same time that makes it special.

Sheila Conway (USTA Oklahoma)

Kim Kilgore (USTA Missouri)

Cheryl Lady (USTA Heart of America)

Diane Lawrence (USTA Kansas)

Cindy Ritchie (USTA Oklahoma)

Sheila Conway (USTA Oklahoma)
Kim Kilgore (USTA Missouri)
Cheryl Lady (USTA Heart of America)
Diane Lawrence (USTA Kansas)
Cindy Ritchie (USTA Oklahoma)

Who has been your biggest officiating influence?

Conway: It’s hard to name just one. There have been so many who have shared their knowledge from all aspects of officiating.

Kilgore: Wow, that is a really tough question. So many phenomenal individuals have influenced my officiating career over the years both as a line umpire as well as a chair umpire.

Lady: When I first started officiating in Heart of America, Bob Boulware was my mentor and great teacher. He taught me all the fundamentals of officiating, and I was fortunate to work some events that he was the referee. Since then, I have met many officials who have helped me. Working junior, college and professional events all provide experiences to be a good official.

Lawrence: Early in my career as an official, a few special people gave me opportunities to work at professional tennis events and supported my growth as an official. Without their guidance I would never have been able to say this is my 19th straight US Open. So, thank you to Sue Pranke, Lois Huggins and Pete Gameros. There were many others along the way that have been supportive, but these three put their faith in me as a rookie, and I am very appreciative!

Ritchie: This one is difficult. I cannot name one. I would not be officiating at this level, chiefing tournaments and now doing chairs without the influence of multiple officials sharing knowledge, encouraging and supporting me. Pete Gameros, Tracy Crossland, Michaela Moon, Meg Farrelly, Cornelia Twitchell, Chris Preston, Roberta Kaylie, Doug Rice … the list goes on and on.

How does officiating local events within the USTA Missouri Valley aid you in your work at the US Open?

Conway: I am always asked rule questions when I rover at the junior level. It always keeps me learning and re-learning the rules of tennis.

Kilgore: Local events are always a great way to come back and work events within your section and give back to where your career started. It keeps me grounded and makes me appreciate the opportunity to be able to work the US Open.

Lady: Preparation for an event, time management and decision-making skills that are required at local events are all necessary for working the US Open.

Lawrence: We use the same main principles as an official, no matter what the level of play. All experience is good experience.

Ritchie: It’s the grassroots; it’s where tennis begins. Local USTA events and working as a rover are like knowledge checks. You are constantly being asked questions about rules and procedures. It keeps you well-rounded and grounded in the basics of officiating. I believe a good official does all levels: roving, line umpiring, college, pro circuit, match assistant.

Do you have a hidden talent off the tennis court?

Conway: Not really, but I do like to read and play word puzzles.

Kilgore: I like to think the fact that I still really enjoy playing tennis competitively (both Missouri Valley and Southern), and I play year-round! I always work hard to fit my league matches into my busy travel schedule. This spring I played on three different teams, two of which won state and went to Southern sectionals.

Lady: I enjoy baking cookies!

Lawrence: Having grown up as a Kansas farm girl, I used to be adept at driving combines, tractors and wheat trucks.

Ritchie: Hmm, I like to make jewelry and I can say the alphabet backwards.

What song would you walk out to if officials got intros like players?

Conway: ‘Let the Sparks Fly’ by Thousand Foot Krutch.

Kilgore: ‘Long Hot Summer’ by my favorite artist, Keith Urban.

Lady: I would choose ‘Eye of the Tiger’ by Survivor.

Lawrence: ‘The Wabash Cannonball’ (a nod to my alma mater, Kansas State University–Go Wildcats!).

Ritchie: ‘Happy’ by Pharrell Williams.

What’s the most important item in your court bag and why?

Conway: Lip balm with SPF and sunscreen since officials spend a lot of time outside.

Kilgore: I would have to say sunscreen for obvious reasons!

Lawrence: If it’s an outdoor event, probably sunscreen. Sometimes there’s just no ability to find shade!

Ritchie: Sunscreen! And lip balm. As much as we work in the sun, it’s a necessity. Apart from the obvious—tape measure, stopwatch.

Learn more about officiating within USTA Missouri Valley by clicking here.

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