National junior high champions crowned in rodeo
Lebanon, Tenn., June 25, 2016 – She’s only 13, but seventh-grader Wacey Day of Fleming, Colo., made two seven-second runs to edge out 165 other girls in goat tying at the National Junior High Finals Rodeo on Saturday in Lebanon, Tenn.
Day, who competes for the Nebraska team, tied her final goat in a blistering 7.5 seconds to win the three-round aggregate by a full second over Oregon’s Kennedy Buckner.
“Slow is smooth, smooth is fast, and fast is money,” said Day, who tied her first goat in 8.3 seconds and her second in 7.4. “I came out here and made the three best runs of my life.”
This year’s NJHFR drew 1,049 contestants from 42 different states, three Canadian provinces and Australia to rope and ride for scholarship dollars, jackpot money and prizes.
Colten Leech of Billings, Mo., won the national championship in chute dogging after turfing three steers in 8.72 seconds.
“I want to thank the good Lord for this opportunity and my family for getting me down the road,” said Leech.
In a competitive barrel-racing short round, the top two were Shae Halls – the daughter of former NFR arena-record holder Brandie Halls – and the eventual champ. Jayci Byler of Bellville, Texas, won the short round by two-tenths of a second to claim the national championship. Her horse, 14-year-old Prince of Perks owned by the Shoppa Ranch, is by Dash For Perks and out of a granddaughter of Dash For Cash and Gay Bar King. Byler’s family owns Byler Performance Equine – a swimming pool for horses – in Bellville.
“I did it,” Byler said. “And it was all because of Mom. She helped me most and encourages me every day.”
Other national champions were Girls’ Breakaway roper Sawyer Gilbert of Buffalo, S.D.; Boys’ Breakaway roper Brandon Ben of Peridot, Ariz.; Bareback Steer Rider Keenan Hayes of Hayden, Colo.; Saddle Bronc Steer Rider Gus Gaillard of Morse, Texas; Boys’ Goat Tyer Briar Teague of Rattan, Okla.; Ribbon Ropers Zoie Bedke and Cooper Duffin of Idaho; Tie-Down Roper Trevor Hale of Perryton, Texas; Pole Bender Maci Jo Zimmerman of New Ross, Ind.; Team Ropers Tanner Brown, Florence, Miss., and, Matt Watt, Geiger, Ala.; and Bull Rider Chris Villanueva of Mesquite, Texas.
The team from Idaho won the 2016 volleyball tournament, while the Girls’ AQHA Horse of the Year title went to Chaley Hext for Sinioto Rio, and the Boys’ counterpart went to Chance Thiessen for Cutter Play Me Stylish. The boys’ all-around rookie champion was Justice Hopper of Tooele, Utah; and the girls’ counterpart was Jayci Byler of Bellville, Texas. The overall team championship was won by Oklahoma with 11,650 points, edging second-place Texas and third-place Louisiana.
In Lebanon, NJHFR stock contractor Herbert Theriot of Mississippi assembled enough calves, steers and cows for nearly 1,800 runs. He sorted through more than 450 head to bring 340 calves, for instance. “It takes a lot of people to do an event like this, especially this size,” said Theriot, who credited Curtis Massey Cattle Company with bringing a great set of Holstein cattle for the bareback and saddle bronc steer riding.
Theriot, himself a former PRCA world champion in tie-down roping, has two sons. Marcus was the around champ five years ago at the NJHFR and won the national collegiate all-around title last week in Casper, Wyo., while Mason, 12, made the short round in ribbon roping at the NJHFR on Saturday.
The Junior High Division was created within the National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA) in 2004 for sixth- through eighth-graders as a feeder system into the high-school ranks, and now fields more than 2,500 junior-high students in 13 different events.
The Finals is in Tennessee for the first time this year; it was held in Gallup, N.M., through 2013 and spent the previous two years in Des Moines, Iowa. It will return to Lebanon in June 2017. Meanwhile, Gillette, Wyo., will host the National High School Finals Rodeo on July 17-23.
Complete results from the finals of 2016 National Junior High Finals Rodeo:
All-Around Cowboy: 1. Cooper Cooke, Victor, Idaho, 1420 points; 2. Cooper Duffin, Pocatello, Idaho, 1240; 3. Trevor Hale, Perryton, Texas, 1160; 4. Cord McDonald, Durant, Okla., 1130.
All-Around Cowgirl: 1. Paige Jones, Wayne, Okla., 1355 points; 2. Jayci Byler, Bellville, Texas, 1060
- Makenzy Byrne, Arcadia, Okla., 1040; 4. Chaley Hext, Canadian, Texas, 1000.
Girls’ Breakaway: Finals: 1. Baili Herring, Artesia, N.M., 2.57 seconds; 2. Paige Jones, Wayne, Okla., 2.8; 3. Robbin Rice, Sealy, Texas, 2.96; 4. Sawyer Gilbert, Buffalo, S.D., 2.99. Average on three: 1. Sawyer Gilbert, Buffalo, S.D., 10.09 seconds; 2. Paige Jones, Wayne, Okla., 10.62; 3. Lilla Bell, Hollister, Calif., 10.85; 4. Baili Herring, Artesia, N.M., 10.92; 5. Robbin Rice, Sealy, Texas, 10.93; 6. Sammy Taylor, Neola, Utah, 10.98.
Boys’ Breakaway: Finals: 1. Brandon Ben, Peridot, Ariz., 2.52 seconds; 2. Cade Bell, Paradise Valley, Nev., 2.81; 3. Titan Quigg, Rankin, Texas, 2.85; 4. Riley Rieken, Arp, Texas, 3.05. Average on three: 1. Brandon Ben, Peridot, Ariz., 8.66 seconds; 2. Cade Bell, Paradise Valley, Nev., 8.92; 3. Titan Quigg, Rankin, Texas, 9.00; 4. Jacques Trahan, Hackberry, La., 9.51.
Bareback Steer Riding: Finals: 1/2. Keenan Hayes, Hayden, Colo., and Brad Moreno, Kayenta, Ariz., 68 points each; 3. Jaxson Mirabal, Magdalena, N.M., 63; 4. Jayco Roper, Oktaha, Okla., 63. Average on three: 1. Keenan Hayes, Hayden, Colo., 202 points; 2. Cooper Cooke, Victor, Idaho, 194; 3. Braden Smith, Spearsville, La., 193; 4. Jayco Roper, Oktaha, Okla., 192; 5. Brad Moreno, Kayenta, Ariz., 187; 6. Mason Spain, Forney, Texas, 180.
Girls’ Goat Tying: Finals: 1. Wacey Day, Fleming, Colo., 7.56 seconds; 2. Kennedy Buckner, Redmond, Ore., 7.8; 3. Makenzy Byrne, Arcadia, Okla., 8.12; 4. Hannah Giger, Wilburton, Okla., 8.17. Average on three: 1. Wacey Day, Fleming, Colo., 23.39 seconds; 2. Kennedy Buckner, Redmond, Ore., 24.35; 3. Makenzy Byrne, Arcadia, Okla., 24.41; 4. Hannah Giger, Wilburton, Okla., 24.85; 5. Desta Misegades, Henning, Minn., 25.56; 6. Chenoa Vande Stouwe, Inwood, Iowa, 25.72.
Boys’ Goat Tying: Finals: 1. Rance Doyal, Durant, Okla., 8.69 seconds; 2. Daunte Ceresola, Fernley, Nev., 9.19; 3. Cooper Duffin, Pocatello, Idaho, 9.46; 4. Harland Groves, Faith, S.D., 9.83. Average on three: 1. Briar Teague, Rattan, Okla., 29.55 seconds; 2. Cooper Duffin, Pocatello, Idaho, 30.57; 3. Rance Doyal, Durant, Okla., 31.24; 4. Teegan Leno, Sheridan, Wyo., 31.4; 5. Harland Groves, Faith, S.D., 31.66; 6. Colt Soderholm, Sheyenne, N.D., 31.86.
Barrel Racing: Finals: 1. Jayci Byler, Bellville, Texas, 15.623 seconds; 2. Reagan Goudeau, Hungerford, Texas, 15.813; 3. Rio Flaharty, El Dorado, Kan., 15.871; 3. Emma Smith, Pleasanton, Texas, 15.871; 5. Brie Wells, LeMars, Iowa, 15.933. Average on three: 1. Jayci Byler, Bellville, Texas, 47.369 seconds; 2. Rio Flaharty, ElDorado, Kan., 47.449; 3. Emma Smith, Pleasanton, Texas, 48.018; 4. Reagan Goudeau, Hungerford, Texas, 48.276; 5. Greeley Eastep, Bainbridge, Ind., 48.471; 6. Taylor Nichols, Morristown, Ariz., 48.618.
Saddle Bronc Steer Riding: Finals: 1. Cooper Cooke, Victor, Idaho, 69 points; 2. Gus Gaillard, Morse, Texas, 67; 3. Ethan Lombardo, Marshville, N.C., 65; 4. Coy Hebert, Welsh, La., 58. Average on three: 1. Gus Gaillard, Morse, Texas, 196 points; 2. Cooper Cooke, Victor, Idaho, 190; 3. Ethan Lombardo, Marshville, N.C., 175; 4. Jaxson Mirabal, Magdalena, N.M., 167; 5. Coy Hebert, Welsh, La., 149;
- Cauy Pennington, Kiowa, Colo., 146.
Chute Dogging: Finals: 1. Tom Crouse, Gallatin, Mo., 2.25 seconds; 2. Trevor Boatwright, Marble, N.C., 2.52; 3. Tanner Berghuis, Atwater, Minn., 2.84; 4. Cord McDonald, Durant, Okla., 2.93. Average on three: 1. Colten Leech, Billings, Mo., 8.72 seconds; 2. Cord McDonald, Durant, Okla., 9.18; 3. Tom Crouse, Gallatin, Mo., 9.61; 4. Trace Fuller, Bozeman, Mont., 9.62; 5. Taylor Blackburn, Balko, Okla., 9.79; 6. Gage Gregersen, Malta, Idaho, 10.69.
Ribbon Roping: Finals: 1. Trevor Hale, Perryton, Texas, and Chaley Hext, Canadian, Texas, 7.06 seconds; 2. Zoie Bedke, Oakley, Idaho, and Cooper Duffin, Pocatello, Idaho, 7.78; 3. Zaine Mikita, Byers, Colo., and Amanda Terrell, LaSalle, Colo., 8.46; 4. Chance Thiessen, Elk City, Okla., and Paige Jones, Wayne, Okla., 8.52. Average on three: 1. Zoie Bedke, Oakley, Idaho, and Cooper Duffin, Pocatello, Idaho, 24.65 seconds; 2. Lane Shemak, Cobb, Wis., and Bridee Ann Burks, Lancaster, Wis., 29.42; 3. Kincade Henry, Mt Pleasant, Texas, and Makenzie Mayes, Scroggins, Texas, 30.44; 4. Trevor Hale, Perryton, Texas, and Chaley Hext, Canadian, Texas, 30.5; 5. Zaine Mikita, Byers, Colo., and Amanda Terrell, LaSalle, Colo., 30.84; 6. Jace Bleil, Bronson, Iowa, and Bailey Bleil, Bronson, Iowa, 30.98.
Tie-Down Roping: Finals: 1. Trevor Hale, Perryton, Texas, 11.25; 2. Dean Holyan, Coyote Canyon, N.M., 12.45; 3. Cord McDonald, Durant, Okla., 13.02; 4. Avery Whitten, Franklin, Ind., 17.66. Average on three: 1. Trevor Hale, Perryton, Texas, 35.6 seconds; 2. Cord McDonald, Durant, Okla., 43.06; 3. Dean Holyan, Coyote Canyon, N.M., 45.9; 4. Chance Little, Orange, Texas, 47.9; 5. Bryce Derrer, Portales, N.M., 54.82; 6. Avery Whitten, Franklin, Ind., 57.49.
Pole Bending: Finals: 1. Maci Jo Zimmerman, New Ross, Ind., 19.927 seconds; 2. Cheyenne Garmon, Davidson, N.C., 20.14; 3. Jaden Thomas, DeRidder, La., 20.206; 4. Paige Jones, Wayne, Okla., 20.207. Average on three: 1. Maci Jo Zimmerman, New Ross, Ind., 60.674 seconds; 2. Paige Jones, Wayne, Okla., 60.74; 3. Chaley Hext, Canadian, Texas, 60.982; 4. Cheyenne Garmon, Davidson, N.C., 61.011; 5. Sheyenne Lincoln, Willcox, Ariz., 61.383; 6. Jaden Thomas, DeRidder, La., 61.572.
Team Roping: Finals: 1. Tanner Brown, Florence, Miss., and Matt Watt, Geiger, Ala., 9.04 seconds; 2. Teagan Bentley, Casper, Wyo., Teegan Leno, Sheridan, Wyo., 11.04; 3. Rhett Murray, Belvue, Kan., Jesse Boos, White Cloud, Kan., 11.67; 4. TJ Bowler, Enterprise, Utah, Blake Bowler, Enterprise, Utah, 13.36;. Average on three: 1. Tanner Brown, Florence, Miss. and, Matt Watt, Geiger, Ala., 26.55 seconds; 2. Rhett Murray, Belvue, Kan., and Jesse Boos, White Cloud, Kan., 29.92; 3. Joey Denney, Carrollton, Ga., and Riley Kittle, Woodland, Ala., 37.05; 4. Titan Quigg, Rankin, Texas, and Blayze Ingle, Clyde, Texas, 37.78; 5. Teagan Bentley, Casper, Wyo., and Teegan Leno, Sheridan, Wyo., 37.81; 6. Kylie Adams, Junction City, Kan., and Carlee Arnold, Hutchinson, Kan., 38.09.
Junior Bull Riding: Finals: 1. Tadd Dictson, Mescalero, N.M., 81; 2. Chris Villanueva, Mesquite, Texas, 73; 3. Wes Ireland, Homedale, Idaho, 64; 3. Ty Pope, Garnett, Kan., 64. Average on three: 1. Chris Villanueva, Mesquite, Texas, 192 points; 2. Braidy Randolph, Lebanon, Pa., 186; 3. Ty Pope, Garnett, Kan., 181; 4. Tadd Dictson, Mescalero, N.M., 153; 5. Wes Ireland, Homedale, Idaho, 132; 6. Justice Hopper, Tooele, Utah, 130.
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