Swishing the Opportunity - Lifelong Herder standout Young inks letter of intent to play collegiate basketball

 
Opportunity knocked and Ann-Marie Young answered.
The Glenrock High School standout athlete has excelled in multiple sports and thought about playing in college as her career neared its end.
However, when presented a chance to play at the collegiate level, Young considered the offer and took the shot by making it official May 21 when she signed to play for Central Wyoming College (CWC) this fall.
“I have always wanted to play college basketball but after our season ended, I was unsure about that decision,” Young said. “I chose CWC because it is relatively close to home and I really enjoyed the athletic program that they have there, as well as the academic side of their school.”
Young, the daughter of Todd and Jody, has been a vital part of three sports during her career as a Herder.
Along that journey, she has earned multiple athletic awards, won a state championship and has been an important veteran leader for the youth on her teams which have all led to the rare chance of playing at the college level.
 
HOMEGROWN
Young bleeds purple. She was born in Converse County and has lived all 18 of her years in Glenrock where she grew up with a basketball in her hand.
Basketball was the first sport Young played in grade school. She played on youth Herders squads and picked up the fundamentals immediately.
“From the second I picked up a basketball, I fell in love with the game,” Young admitted. “Basketball is a sport that combines competition, grit and grace – which is why I love it so much.”
Playing basketball at such a young age better prepared Young for more competitive sports. At 5’8”, she was prominent talent in middle school where she played basketball and volleyball throughout, and competed in discus, shot put and hurdles in seventh-grade track.
 
HIGH SCHOOL
Young’s dedication and hard work better prepared her for high school. She made a huge impact at the high school level where she lettered in volleyball, basketball and track.
Hitting another growth spurt, which put her at her current height of 6’, Young provided the Herders a tough presence at the net in volleyball and a dominant force in the paint in hoops. She also spent summers playing in tournaments and attending camps with her teammates.
“More games and more experience built better bonds as a team, as well as build an individual with new competition,” Young said.
GHS missed out on state in her final season but that didn’t take away from her successful career as she finished as a three-time All-Conference award winner. She led GHS this year in rebounds with 167 and blocks with 41, while averaging 9.1 points a game in the paint.
“Through a lot of the losses, that is when our team best came together. We just had to keep our focus on the big picture and our end goal.”
In track, Young was able to showcase her strength as she completed in discus and shot put. In fact, she was All-State as a junior on her way to winning the discus state championship where she has a personal-record throw of 117 feet.
“[The state meet] felt like any other track meet, but as soon as I stepped on the podium it was so much more,” Young remembered.
 
MOVING ON
A lifetime in Glenrock will end in just a couple months. However, memories are forever and Young will have those with her, no matter where life takes her along the journey.
“Making it to state last year is one of my biggest memories. It will be something that I never forget, because we made history,” she said.
Young will spend her final summer at home preparing for her next chapter. That chapter will include college hoops in Riverton where she plans to study animal science.
“I’m going to work and save up some money, but still enjoy the weekends with my family and friends,” she said.
While Young will leave some big shoes for Glenrock to fill next session, she also leaves the underclassmen a little advice and personal example that anything is possible with dedication and hard work.
“Spend every open opportunity that you have in the gym or weight room to better yourself,” she said.