Several rodeo competitors from the KCNI/KBBN coverage area will be among those representing team Nebraska at the National High School Finals Rodeo which begins Friday (7/17). The Nebraska competitors were originally planning to stay in their home state as Lincoln was to be the host city for this year’s finals. However, COVID-19 changed all of that as the National High School Rodeo Association announced back on May 29 that based on orders received from the Lincoln/Lancaster County Health Department due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the National High School Finals Rodeo would not be able to proceed as planned in Nebraska. The search then began for a new venue with organizers choosing Guthrie, Oklahoma. The first performance of the finals rodeo will be held Friday evening with performances continuing through Thursday July 23rd.
Madison Mills of Eddyville will compete in two events at this year’s national finals. Mills was the state champion in pole bending and will begin her national finals run in the event Saturday morning. Mills also qualified for nationals in barrel racing and will make her first go round run during the Monday morning performance.
Cooper Bass of Brewster will also compete in two events. Bass will make his first appearance in the reined cow horse competition on Saturday evening and will compete in the first go of the boys cutting Monday morning.
Arcadia has two representatives from their community at this year’s national finals. Both will compete in the first go Saturday evening. Jace Hurlburt will compete in breakaway roping and Taci Flinn in barrel racing.
Brody McAbee of Ansley will compete in the saddle broncs on Sunday morning while Zane Kreikemeier of Callaway and Coy Johnston of Stapleton will make their first go round appearance in the team roping during Saturday morning’s performance.
The light rifle shooting competition is scheduled for Saturday and will include Frazier Kaelin of Ansley and Andrea Meyer of Stapleton, who was the state champion in the event.
Listen to KCNI 1280 AM / 96.3 FM for reports on the progress of area competitors and team Nebraska during the national finals. The first report will air Saturday during the noon sports report and continue next week Monday thru Friday.
