Ali Norcutt Wins Big at National Finals

Special to The Fallon Post -- Fallon student becomes third in her family to win a high-school title Fallon’s Ali Norcutt joined elite company last week at the National High School Finals Rodeo in Rock Springs, Wyo. Not only did she keep her family’s name alive in Nevada rodeo circles, but she also became a select few of former Churchill County High School students who won national titles. Mayor Ken Tedford, the city of Fallon and the city council honored Norcutt and recognized her family behind the City Hall’s courtyard last week. Norcutt, who placed first at the state high school rodeo in both reining cow horse and girls cutting, edged her nearest competitor by a minute margin to win the 2019 championship belt. In 2018 at the NHSFR, she came in fifth in reining cow horse out of 120 contestants. That finish, though, told Norcutt she had the ability to do better this year. Although she didn’t place in girls cutting at nationals, Norcutt said she still had fun and will learn from the experience she had at the high-caliber event. Her great uncle Kenny Norcutt, who now lives in Lovelock, snared the national title in bull riding in 1963, and her cousin Frank claimed the title in saddle bronc in 1985. Annie Joanette took the breakaway roping title in 2003, and Marisa Julian finished at the top in girls cutting in 2009. The national Rookie All-Around Cowgirl award went to Bailey Corkill in 2006. Two other Fallon contestants also garnered titles as the top rodeo queens, Jody Howard in 1988-89 and Loni Johnston-Faught in 1995-96. Tedford praised Norcutt in his remarks for her come-from-behind win, saying she did an awesome thing. The mayor also noted her horse's name is also Kenny. In summary of her final round, the mayor summarized: after the first go, Norcutt had 290.5 points, and then faltered a little in the second go with 286 points, leaving her in seventh place. She need 289 to tie and 289.5 to win. In the final short go, Norcutt pulled in 289.5 points to claim this year’s championship. According to Norcutt, she was 20 points behind and her dad mentioned it would be nearly impossible for her to win. As Norcutt and her family watched the leader, her horse began to trot during the rundown. Once the points were tallied, Norcutt moved up the ladder, and she began eyeing a second-place finish until the final go. She and another competitor tied for the lead and at the time, were considered co-champions. Once judges sorted out the points, Norcutt had narrowly won the coveted title. It’s been a whirlwind 10 days for the Fallon student. From winning a national title to her family receiving a police escort into Fallon to the city’s special ceremony, Norcutt is savoring the moment; however, Norcutt said she has little time to sit back and enjoy it. She’ll competed on a horse show in August and then the fall season of high-school rodeo begins. But Tedford shared the gratitude from everyone by presenting her with a bouquet of flowers, a plaque and encouraging words, “It’s a special occasion in the city of Fallon when we have a champion,” he said. “Today, we have Ali Norcutt.”       Never miss the local news -- read more on The Fallon Post home page. If you enjoy The Fallon Post, please support our effort to provide local, independent news and make a contribution today.  Your contribution makes possible this online news source for all things Fallon.