For More Information:
Mike Hausmann
Media Coordinator
National High School Rodeo Association
1-800-466-4772
mike@nhsra.org

July 28, 2007

Utah Takes Top Team Honors at the 59th Annual NHSFR

The Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois played host to the 59th Annual National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR), July 22-28, 2007. And once again, the state of Utah reigned supreme. The Utah team garnered a total of 9,077 points to lead the field, with Texas, Louisiana, Wyoming and California rounding out the top-five.

This is the fourth time that the NHSFR has been held in Springfield, with previous appearances in the city occurring in the years 2000, 2001, and 2006. Competitors from the state of Utah have dominated while in Illinois, as the group has won the team title each time the Finals have been held in Springfield. Event champions at the 2007 edition include:

Bareback Riding:
Caleb Bennett (Morgan, UT)

Barrel Racing:
Savanna Christensen (Medicine Lodge, KS)

Breakaway Roping:
TiAda Gray (Lovington, NM)

Bull Riding:
Colby Scallions (Itasca, TX)

Tie-Down Roping:
Rhen Richard (Roosevelt, UT)

Boys Cutting:
Cody Hedlund (Acampo, CA)

Girls Cutting:
Kale Miller (St. Anthony, ID)

Goat Tying:
Brooke Boulware (Scott City, KS)

Pole Bending:
Lindsey Hollond (Emporia, KS)

Saddle Bronc Riding:
Jake Wright (Milford, UT)

Steer Wrestling:
Nic Henry (Iowa, LA)

Team Roping:
Troy Hudson (Ocala, FL) & Joshua Torres (Anthony, FL)

In addition, Rhen Richard of Roosevelt, Utah captured All-Around Cowboy honors, while Klancy Shope of Longville, Louisiana left town with the All-Around Cowgirl title. Chenae Shiner of Utah was also crowned the new 2007-2008 NHSRA Queen, with the crown remaining in the state for yet another year. Shiner succeeds Michelle Johnson of Tremonton, Utah.

A total of 1,547 students from forty U.S. states, five Canadian provinces, and Australia competed at this year’s event. The NHSFR kicked-off on the evening of Sunday, July 22nd, with morning and evening performances held throughout the week. Following the conclusion of the second go-round on the morning of Saturday, July 28, the top-twenty competitors in each event qualified for Saturday night’s Championship Go-Round, where the athletes battled it out for national titles, assorted prizes and their share of more than $200,000 in college scholarships.

A complete listing of results from the 2007 NHSFR can be found by CLICKING HERE.

The NHSRA is one of the fastest growing youth organizations in the nation, with an annual membership of over 10,500 students from forty-one U.S. states, five Canadian provinces, and Australia. The state of New York is the newest entity to join the Association, having done so earlier this year. The state did not bring a team to this year’s Finals. The Association sanctions over 1,100 rodeos on an annual basis. The NHSRA is governed by a national Board of Directors, which consists of one member from each state or province. A staff at the national headquarters in Denver, Colorado handles the day-to-day operations. For more information on the NHSRA, visit the Association’s official website located at www.nhsra.org.

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