The Nebraska High School Rodeo state finals concluded Saturday at the Adams County Fairgrounds in Hastings. The top 4 in each event qualified for the National Finals which will take place next month (July 14-20) in Rock Springs, WY. Several area cowboys and cowgirls will be among those representing the state of Nebraska at this year’s national finals. Madison Mills of Eddyville was the state champion in the pole bending and also qualified for nationals in barrel racing finishing 4th overall. Two Custer County cowboys qualified for nationals in the boys cutting. Cody Miller of Broken Bow was the runner-up in the event and Frazier Kaelin of Ansley placed fourth to qualify. Brody McAbee of Ansley was runner-up in the saddle broncs and Cauy Pokorny of Stapleton was runner-up in the steer wrestling. Other national qualifiers included : Brooke McCulley of Mullen in the breakaway roping (3rd), Cooper Bass of Brewster in Reined Cow Horse (3rd), Andrea Meyer of Stapleton in Light Rifle Shooting (1st), and Even Hewett of Dunning in Trap Shooting (4th). Two area teams qualified in the team roping competition. Cauy Pokorny of Stapleton teamed with Clay Holz of Niobrara to finish third overall. Cooper Bass and Zack Bradley, both of Brewster, also qualified for nationals in team roping by finishing 4th. Other area competitors who finished just outside the top four and will serve as the alternate for their event are : Kesha DeGroff of Broken Bow (girls cutting) ; Ashley Odenbach of Taylor (Barrels) ; Ashley Odenbach of Taylor and Cole Dwyer of Burwell (team roping) ; Evan Hewett of Dunning (steer wrestling).
Other awards received by area cowboys and cowgirls during the state finals included :
Cody Miller of Broken Bow – Boys Rookie of the Year
Ashley Odenbach of Taylor – State Finals Girls All Around Champion
RESULTS OF STATE FINALS
YEAR END CHAMPIONS AND NATIONAL QUALIFIERS
MADISON MILLS INTERVIEW
