Reaching her second year in collegiate basketball, sophomore Kayla Woodward has made quite the name for herself and has made her way to becoming one of the top players on the University’s team. Having a true passion for the sport as well as a lot of discipline and dedication, it is these strong qualities that have assured her selection as the Mountain West Player of the week.
“It was such a big honor to receive the title this week,” Woodward said. “There are so many other good players who were nominated for the title and to be the one out of so many was such a good feeling.”
Coming to Laramie from Sheridan, Wyo., Kayla was a local honor both on the court and in the classroom. She was a 4.0 National Honor Society student who graduated top 10 in her class. During her years playing high school basketball, she also received many titles and awards. She was given the chance to play for various All-Star teams throughout high school. In 2011, she was named Co-Conference Player of the Year as well as Sheridan County Player of the Year. Woodward also earned the Milward L. Simpson award, which is given to the top female athlete in the state of Wyoming. She also was awarded with a two-time All-Conference selection and was chosen for All-State as a senior.
“I find myself missing playing back at my old high school. All the fun times and memories I had from going to state to team bonding were all things that can never be replaced. I try to keep up with the people I used to play with but we are all onto bigger and better things.”
In her first year playing at UW, Woodward was nominated for Third Team All-Mountain West selection. In her athletic profile, she was reported to be the starter in the 28 out of the 29 games played. This is where she recorded her first double-double of her collegiate career. Woodward had many accomplishments in her first year of playing and by the end of her first season as a Cowgirl she was an Academic All-Mountain West selection.
“Since playing here at UW, I feel I’m pretty happy overall about my competitive career so far,” Woodward said. “I always think it’s important to have fun while on the court because it does boil down to just being a game and games are supposed to be fun.”
Playing basketball is all Woodward has ever really known as she’s been playing the game since she was three years old. Having the opportunity to play at other colleges around the nation, Woodward’s choice of coming to the University of Wyoming was her biggest desire. Aside from her family’s attendance to the school, she always admired the Cowgirls while growing up. So when asked if she would compete under the brown and gold, there was no chance that she was going to pass up the opportunity.
“I am really proud that I chose to come to Wyoming to continue my basketball career,” said Woodward. “I love the fan base here. It’s not just students and faculty members, it’s the whole state that backs us up and supports us. I love being close to home and I love being able to say I’m a true Wyoming Cowgirl.”
With amazing teammates and a great coaching staff, Woodward’s basketball career as a Cowgirl holds high expectations. There is little question in the minds of fellow fans and spectators that this athlete will push herself to be one of the greatest players to have stepped onto the Arena Auditorium court.
