While playing point guard for her third grade basketball team, Gabby Willson found her passion. Now as a senior in high school she has signed on to play college basketball with the Laramie County Community College (LCCC) in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
“Ever since I was little I have had a connection to basketball and playing with my brother and my family only deepened the connection.. I knew this was what I wanted,” said Gabby.
Gabby began pursuing her college goals as a sophomore and has been in contact with her new coach since then. “I first made contact with Coach Brian Ortmeier when he was in Rangely, and now he is the head coach at LCCC. It was natural for me to choose to go there.”
Gabby has earnestly begun her preparation for her time on the court and in the classroom. Not only has Gabby started her summer weight lifting regime, but she has also been doing an internship under physical therapist Jake Bauer at the Middle Park Medical Center. The physical therapy assistant program at LCCC required documented experience, and Gabby volunteered at the hospital an hour each day Monday- Thursday to meet this goal. It paid off when Gabby learned she was accepted into the two year program to become a physical therapy assistant.
“I love that I will be studying something that relates to my passion,” Gabby said, “I am just really excited to step-out of my comfort zone and have new experiences.”
Gabby is also appreciative of her time at West Grand and credits her high school coaches with always pushing her to be better and feels that her experiences across volleyball and track and field have only helped her become a stronger basketball player.
Her stats prove the validity of her claim. Per game, she averaged 12.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 3.7 steals.
However, she is also a recognized athlete in all of her sport and has earned distinctions as Rookie of the Year, All Conference, All Conference Honorable Mention in both basketball and volleyball, Team Captain, CHSAA All State Volleyball Honorable Mention for two years, and a 4-year letterman in each sport.
She has also attended the Colorado State Track and Field Meet for three years placing 6th and 8th in pole vault.
She has also been accepted into the National Honor Society, participated in student council, book club and youth group. But among all these, Gabby treasures being the assist leader in basketball the most. “As the point guard, I love being able to feed the ball to my teammates and have them score. I am so thankful for the time I have gotten to play with each of them,” she said.
Gabby says she will miss her friends and the support of the community in the school programs, but as someone rooted in faith she is confident in her future.
“Guidance from God has really led me onto this path and without him, I wouldn’t be anything. I just really want to give all the glory to God for how far he has gotten me.”
