As his high school career was coming to a close, former Rustler forward Hayden Dalton found himself torn in the college decision making process.  Despite being named First-Team All Continental League after averaging a double-double during his senior campaign, the Chaparral High School alum didn't quite get the recruitment he had hoped for.

"I always really knew I wanted to play D1.  But Denver was the only school calling, and they didn't end up offering me," Dalton said.  "I played club ball after my senior year of high school to see if I could get something else going.  I had a lot of offers from local D2 schools, but I really wanted to see if I could get that chance to go D1."

While playing club ball that spring, he was spotted by the Rustlers' staff after previously not knowing much about what "JUCO" was all about.  He received a scholarship offer immediately.   He signed his letter of intent quickly thereafter, and continued the process of chasing his dream. 

He quickly found out that the experience would involve a lot of hard work and sacrifice, but it also afforded him a lot of opportunities that would allow him to mature quickly as a player.  Leaving a big city like Denver for Riverton was, at first, a challenge.  But for Dalton, location ended up playing a huge part in his development.  "One of the best things about my experience was the constant access to the gym.  Our whole team was always able to get in and get shots up whenever we wanted to.  I didn't have any distractions in Riverton and it just really allowed me to focus on school and basketball."

Hayden's freshmen season brought both individual and team success.  Averaging 8.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, his team went 19-10.  After the season, Dalton was registered for classes to come back for his sophomore year when he was invited to campus at the University of Wyoming.  He played pick-up games with their players, and impressed the staff enough to pick up a scholarship offer.  Because he was already an NCAA Division I academic qualifier out of high school, it allowed him to forego his sophomore season at CWC and transfer to Wyoming immediately.  Allen Edwards, the Cowboys' head coach, had high praise for Dalton.  "He showed what we were looking for in his position as far as his shot and basketball IQ," Edwards said.  "He had a tremendous summer of workouts this past off season which allowed his confidence to go way up.  He's having a great year for us."

The work has more than paid off.  On Monday, December 26^th, Hayden was named Mountain West Player of the Week.  He was the first Wyoming player to receive the honor this season.  He grabbed 18 rebounds, the most by a Mountain West player this season, against then-No. 23 Southern California.  It was also the most by a Cowboy since 2010.  Dalton sent the game into overtime with a game-tying 3-pointer at the end of regulation.  He is currently averaging 13.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.  The Cowboys are 12-6 on the year. 

Reflecting back on his Central Wyoming College experience, Dalton is glad he made the decision to head north after high school.  "There are a lot of really good players in Region 9 and the whole experience really helped to get me ready for the D1 level.  I was able to play against a lot of really good competition."  For Dalton, leaving home paid off in a big way.  The small campus, family feel, and focused environment at Central Wyoming College were just what Dalton felt he needed at the time.  "It worked out great.  I really enjoyed my time at CWC."