Oklahoma State University Athletics
Leighton Allen – Building a Program Alongside Dustin Taylor
February 08, 2024 | Cowboy Tennis
A Blue-Chip recruit, ranked in the top 10, and the first pick to begin the Dustin Taylor era, Leighton Allen is a well-decorated tennis player who is more than just an athlete.
Allen has played tennis since the age of 10. He grew up watching his mother, Louise, play and eventually found his way to the court.
Since the first time he picked up a racket it wasn't just a game for him, it became his life.
"Once I got the racket in my hand when I was 10 that was it," Allen said. "Hitting the yellow ball, having fun with my friends that's what it's all about and bringing that fun and enthusiastic energy especially to college tennis is so pivotal because college tennis is so exciting."
His collegiate journey began at the University of Texas in his hometown of Austin. After his first year at Texas, tennis was just a sport and not the thing that brought him joy from such a young age.
"When I was a freshman at UT I lost that enjoyment for tennis a little bit," Allen said. "I thought, 'What's the point in me doing this?' I've done it for many years now. I was in that kind of depressed state, just not wanting to be on the court. Once I came here I had a big perspective change on life and tennis."
In 2021, head coach Dustin Taylor joined the staff and had to start from the ground up. That's when he found Allen who was looking for a fresh start and wanting to find himself and his love for tennis again.
"When we looked at Leighton just a guy that's a hard worker, loves the game and was looking for a new lease on life after spending his first year down at the University of Texas where he is from and I thought that this would be the perfect place for him and sure enough it's been a great three years together," Taylor said.
While Allen has contributed many wins in both singles and doubles play during his three years here, he has been much more, including a leader.
He decided to step into the leadership role and be someone his team can trust and look up to. Allen plays with an energy and passion that can be seen from anywhere. He prides himself on mentoring and being there for his teammates on and off the court.
Allen credits some of his leadership skills to Taylor, who has mentored him during his time at Oklahoma State.
"He's such a leader and such an incredible coach I definitely learned how to be a leader from him and I translated that with the younger guys on the team and I think I've done a good job so far overall just leading them to be the best versions of themselves on and off the court," Allen said.
Allen has learned many things during his time at OSU, but there is a quote from coach Taylor he continues to live by.
"Don't let what you are define who you are."
"Because in my life I have been defined as 'oh yeah he's a tennis kid he doesn't have time for all the social stuff.'" Allen said. "Being on top it was lonely. My development as a person here and development as a player I couldn't be more happy or proud of the development that I have and the changes that I have undergone with my game and as a person."
Leighton Allen has given as much to the program as OSU has given to him. He not only plays with an energy and passion, but he also lives his life the same.
"He's just a personality that you come across only a few times in life and one that we'll all remember with a smile on our face and appreciate," Taylor said.
Leighton is a tennis player and a staple to the Cowboy tennis program, but he is also more than that to his core.
"I'm so much more than a tennis player," Allen said. "I'm a goofball, I'm immature, I act like a freshman sometimes, I just want to be who I am off the court and not translate that in a bad way on the court."
Allen has played tennis since the age of 10. He grew up watching his mother, Louise, play and eventually found his way to the court.
Since the first time he picked up a racket it wasn't just a game for him, it became his life.
"Once I got the racket in my hand when I was 10 that was it," Allen said. "Hitting the yellow ball, having fun with my friends that's what it's all about and bringing that fun and enthusiastic energy especially to college tennis is so pivotal because college tennis is so exciting."
His collegiate journey began at the University of Texas in his hometown of Austin. After his first year at Texas, tennis was just a sport and not the thing that brought him joy from such a young age.
"When I was a freshman at UT I lost that enjoyment for tennis a little bit," Allen said. "I thought, 'What's the point in me doing this?' I've done it for many years now. I was in that kind of depressed state, just not wanting to be on the court. Once I came here I had a big perspective change on life and tennis."
In 2021, head coach Dustin Taylor joined the staff and had to start from the ground up. That's when he found Allen who was looking for a fresh start and wanting to find himself and his love for tennis again.
"When we looked at Leighton just a guy that's a hard worker, loves the game and was looking for a new lease on life after spending his first year down at the University of Texas where he is from and I thought that this would be the perfect place for him and sure enough it's been a great three years together," Taylor said.
While Allen has contributed many wins in both singles and doubles play during his three years here, he has been much more, including a leader.
He decided to step into the leadership role and be someone his team can trust and look up to. Allen plays with an energy and passion that can be seen from anywhere. He prides himself on mentoring and being there for his teammates on and off the court.
Allen credits some of his leadership skills to Taylor, who has mentored him during his time at Oklahoma State.
"He's such a leader and such an incredible coach I definitely learned how to be a leader from him and I translated that with the younger guys on the team and I think I've done a good job so far overall just leading them to be the best versions of themselves on and off the court," Allen said.
Allen has learned many things during his time at OSU, but there is a quote from coach Taylor he continues to live by.
"Don't let what you are define who you are."
"Because in my life I have been defined as 'oh yeah he's a tennis kid he doesn't have time for all the social stuff.'" Allen said. "Being on top it was lonely. My development as a person here and development as a player I couldn't be more happy or proud of the development that I have and the changes that I have undergone with my game and as a person."
Leighton Allen has given as much to the program as OSU has given to him. He not only plays with an energy and passion, but he also lives his life the same.
"He's just a personality that you come across only a few times in life and one that we'll all remember with a smile on our face and appreciate," Taylor said.
Leighton is a tennis player and a staple to the Cowboy tennis program, but he is also more than that to his core.
"I'm so much more than a tennis player," Allen said. "I'm a goofball, I'm immature, I act like a freshman sometimes, I just want to be who I am off the court and not translate that in a bad way on the court."
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