Several local student-athletes made their way to Winnemucca from May 22-27 to compete in the Nevada State High School Finals Rodeo and Junior High School Finals. Since September, these kids have traveled across the Silver State to compete in rodeos spread out over one of the largest geographical state regions in the nation. They often faced harsh weather conditions, slogging through the muck and mud, bearing up against extreme heat and cold, and enduring the endless Nevada winds.
Some have survived injury and upset. All have spent countless hours practicing for their events and, in many cases, caring for their animals. They do all of this while trying to keep up with home life, chores, homework, and the demands of school.
Impressive. Isn’t it?
Of the many that ranked well enough to go to the state finals, several placed in the top four in their events, earning them a place at the national finals.
Making an outstanding showing was Stix Lee, who competed in the junior high events, earning state championships in breakaway roping and ribbon roping. Stix was named the Reserve All-Around Champion, Reserve Goat Tying Champion, and Reserve Team Roping Champion, taking 4th place in chute dogging.
Stella Lee, also competing in the junior class, is the new state Rookie Girls’ All-Around Champion and State Champion Ribbon Roper. Additionally, Stella placed 4th in pole bending, 5th in breakaway roping, 6th in team roping, 7th in barrel racing, and 12th in goat tying.
Clayton Hiibel brought the Junior Reserve Team Roping Championship home, roping with partner Stix Lee. He was also named Reserve Breakaway Roping Champion and Boys’ Rookie All-Around Champion. In other events, he placed 7th in goat tying and ribbon roping and 11th in chute dogging.
Beau Drake Jr. placed 1st in Junior Bull Riding, taking the state championship. (Pictured right, photo by Jamie Drake).
In the high school events, Rostin Snow placed 3rd in bareback and bull riding, while Jarrett and Wyatt Peek placed 3rd in the team roping competition, with Wyatt also placing 6th in calf roping.
Rostin, Jarrett, and Wyatt, who placed in the top four at Winnemucca, will soon be heading for the National High School Finals Rodeo in Rock Springs, WY, July 13-20. Stix, Stella, Clayton, and Beau will compete in Des Moines, IA, June 23-29 at the 2024 National Junior High School Finals Rodeo.
Good luck. Fallon is so proud of you!
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