NCHS Class of 1996 alumni Sally Powers Nichols has had a traveled and illustrious career since her days as a three-sport star at Lusk. After graduation she played volleyball and ran track and field at the University of Idaho for two years. Powers transferred to Rocky Mountain College in Billings, MT where she played volleyball and basketball before graduating in 2001.

At the college’s annual Hall of Fame ceremonies last month, the 2000 Lady Grizzly volleyball team was inducted for their achievements. Powers was an All-Conference player in the Frontier League as RMC was league champions and ascended as high as #11 in the national rankings. She attended the awards banquet with her parents and children as husband Tommy was with his golf teams at the state meet. “It was really cool, there were nine of us, and both coaches made it back,” said Nichols. “I hadn’t thought of them in probably 15 years- got busy coaching and having kids,” she laughed.

After her playing days ended, Powers got married, and coached volleyball at Montana State, Black Hills State and high schools in Minnesota, Casper Natrona and Cheyenne Central. She teaches science at Wheatland High School and is entering her second season as the head girl’s basketball coach. “My dad got cancer so I moved back home to be closer to them and spent a year coaching at Central,” said Nichols. Husband Tommy is also a teacher in Wheatland and they have three growing kids; ages eleven, nine and six that are becoming involved in activities.

Writer’s note- I have known Sally since her mother Clara was my first grade teacher. Mrs. Powers would bring newborn Sally to school with her. I had moved away before her high school career blossomed, but with a stroke of luck was able to watch Sally play at RMC once during that 2000 season.