Staff



Six local rodeo athletes traveled all the way to Springfield, Ill. to compete in this year’s National High School Rodeo finals. Justin Johnson and Brandon Motes competed in team roping, along with Tyler Byrd and Rance Brown. Ashley Mills competed in break-away-roping. Wyatt Sasser competed in the bareback and saddle bronc events.

The rodeo was held at the state fairgrounds in Springfield, July 24-31. Riders competed from over 45 states along with Canadian riders and rodeo athletes from Australia. The top four competitors in each event came from these far away places to try their luck at the National High School Rodeo finals.

Two performances were held each day with one starting at 9 a.m. and one again at 7 p.m. The first go was over Wednesday morning, with the second go starting Wednesday night and ending Saturday night. The top 20 in each event made it to the short go on Sunday at 2 p.m.

The Florida High School Rodeo Association sent 43 of their top cowboys and cowgirls with 12 making back for the short go.

Dylan Warner from Bunnell brought home the bareback national champion saddle and buckle. FHSRA had three reserve champions, Jared Smith in bareback bronc riding, Shelby Osceola in break-away roping and Savannah Swann in barrels. Stetson Aldridge placed fifth overall in tie-down calf roping. Hannah Thomas took sixth place in goat tying along with another FHSRA rider Tiffany Massey who placed eighth overall. Amanda Avery nailed down eighth place in pole bending. Caleb Sanderson placed ninth overall in bullriding. Lara Dewees ended 19th in barrels. Brandon Motes and Justin Johnson finished in 12th place in the team roping. The FHSRA Queen, Miss K’Leigh Griffin won the prestigious award of Miss Congeniality.

The Florida National Team placed third overall, only 73 small points behind Texas. Utah had the number-one team.

The 2006-2007 FHSRA season will kick off on Sept. 9-10 at the Kissimmee sports arena. For more information about becoming a member of the Florida High School Rodeo Association visit the website at www.fhsra.homestead.com or call student president Justin Johnson at 386-362-6222.