Kellyanne Lytal, 8, daughter of college football coach, among flood victims at Camp Mystic: 'She was kind'

KERR COUNTY, TEXAS: Eight-year-old Kellyanne Lytal — daughter of Trinity University assistant football coach Wade Lytal — was confirmed to be among the victims of the flash floods that ravaged Camp Mystic earlier this month.

Trinity University, a small Division III college in San Antonio, released a statement confirming Kellyanne’s death and offering support to the Lytal family.

“Our entire community grieves with the Lytal family, to whom we extend our deepest sympathies and unwavering support,” said a university spokesperson. “We know this loss will be felt across our campus and beyond.”

Just 85 miles from San Antonio, the Guadalupe River swelled to dangerous levels due to heavy rains, engulfing large parts of Camp Mystic — an all-girls summer camp popular among Texas families. So far, 27 campers and counselors have been confirmed dead.

The Lytals, like many other families, had clung to hope during the harrowing search for their daughter.

Coach Jerheme Urban, Trinity’s head football coach, wasn’t sitting on the sidelines either. Along with several players, he was spotted on the ground assisting with the search, as reported by KSAT-TV in San Antonio. 

Kellyanne Lytal’s family speaks out after devastating loss

Wade Lytal, who once played on Trinity’s offensive line and now serves as the team’s offensive coordinator, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share an emotional plea as search efforts intensified.

“Asking for all prayers for a miracle for my baby girl Kellyanne,” he wrote alongside a clip of Kellyanne singing a Christmas carol. “She is still one of the Mystic Campers who is unaccounted for. I’ll never forget when she told me she had a lead solo in the Christmas Pageant. She is absolutely fearless.”

Lytal and his wife, Malorie, also share another daughter, Emmalynn, who survives her sister.

Following the confirmation of Kellyanne’s death, the Lytal family released a statement to Fox News. “She was kind, fearless, silly, compassionate, and a loving friend to everyone,” they wrote. “Even though she was taken from us way too early, we thank God for the eight magical years we got to share with her.”

The family also extended their gratitude to those who have rallied around them. “Our family wants to thank everyone for their prayers and support during this difficult time. We are forever grateful for the men and women who are assisting in the Search and Rescue efforts.” 

Sports community mourns young lives lost in devastating Texas flood

As of this writing, the death toll from the flash floods has risen to a staggering 132, with 170 individuals still reported missing. The sheer magnitude of the disaster has become a point of reflection for the entire region — and beyond. At this week's Big 12 Media Days, sports took a backseat to mourning.

TCU coach Sonny Dykes and his players were seen wearing green ribbons in memory of the Camp Mystic girls, while Baylor football coach Dave Aranda spoke about how deeply the news had affected him.

“It’s beyond tragedy,” Aranda said. “The last couple days, I have just really been struggling with that. My wife and I have been just keeping up with it, and I just wanted to say that, you know, my heart is broken and the girls and the families affected are in my thoughts.”

President Donald Trump also weighed in on the catastrophe during a visit to the flood-ravaged area. After touring the damage, he addressed reporters before returning to his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.

“They were there because they loved God,” Trump said of the campers at the century-old Christian retreat. “And, as we grieve this unthinkable tragedy, we take comfort in the knowledge that God has welcomed those little beautiful girls into his comforting arms in heaven.” 

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