ROCK SPRINGS — Western Wyoming Community College (Western) Women’s Basketball welcomed a familiar face to the team on Friday evening.
Green River High School (GRHS) senior Kayde Strauss signed her letter of intent with the Mustangs, adding a wealth of talent and potential to the future roster at the shooting guard position.
Strauss said she always knew she wanted to be a Mustang, and although she was looking at several other schools, the Mustangs made the most sense when the dust settled.
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There were several deciding factors in Strauss’ decision to join Western. Ultimately, her desired degree and close proximity to home made the choice clear. Not to mention that she will follow in her older sister’s footsteps, being the second Strauss to play college ball for the Mustangs.
Back in June, Western’s Women’s Basketball Head Coach Mike Swenson reached out to Strauss about possibly joining the team. While she continued thinking and looking at a few different schools in Colorado, Swenson reached out again in November and attended one of her practices. Shortly afterwards, Strauss called Swenson back and asked if he really wanted her to be a Mustang. The response from Swenson was quite obvious.
“I said ‘okay then I will,'” Strauss said.
“I love Swenson and I know a lot of the girls that play for them,” Strauss said.
Strauss said her plan is to play all four years of eligibility. She believes playing her first two years at Western will be beneficial in helping her grow and develop her skills as a player.
During her time at GRHS, Strauss has been a multi-sport athlete. She has played basketball all four years, three years with the volleyball team and one year with the tennis team.
As Strauss prepares to play her senior year of basketball, she just hopes the season can be completed and her team can have fun together. Most of her current teammates at GRHS are the same girls she has played with since she was in second grade.
“We’re all close friends. We’re just a close group and have good chemistry,” Strauss said. “I think we’ll be good competitors at state this year.”
While at Western, her plan is to become a physical therapist. Eventually, she would like to own her own clinic and maybe one day take over her mother’s physical therapy business.
