A series to share #smiles across our community through the achievements of our local youth, brought to you by Olsen Orthodontics.
Written by Carl Cote
(Lander, WY) – Lander Valley senior Hayden Goggles is heading to Miles Community College in Montana, where she will pursue a three-year registered nursing program, but not before leaving her mark on the Lady Tiger basketball team.
Goggles, a guard, earned all-state honors last season and helped lead Lander Valley to a second-place finish at the state tournament this season. She mentioned the team’s chemistry as one of the things she will miss most, along with teammates she has shared the court with for years.
“I played with Bri (Lincoln) since fifth grade,” Goggles said. “The chemistry and dynamic we had, I don’t think I’ll have it with any other team.”
She also pointed to head coach Drew Powell as a major influence on her development. “He played a big part of my career and made me a better player overall,” she said.
At Miles Community College, Goggles said she is looking forward to the fast-paced, guard-heavy, run-and-gun style of play the program operates. She connected with the head coach during a recent visit and came away impressed.
But Goggles’ dreams are set beyond the basketball court. “I’m excited to be a nurse,” Goggles said. “Basketball is fun, but I’m not only there for basketball. Nursing will be for life.”
She said she hopes to eventually specialize as a NICU nurse. In the meantime, she may find herself squaring off against longtime teammate Breana Lincoln, who is at Dawson, about an hour away, because they play in the same conference and are slated to play Miles Community College in the season opener.
Goggles gave special thanks to her parents, Jo and Winslow, and to her teammates and coaching staff for helping her to become a better basketball player and the person she’s become.