Area Cowboys and Cowgirls Qualify for National High School Final Rodeo

The Nebraska High School Rodeo season came to its conclusion this past weekend with the state finals rodeo taking place at Burwell.

The state finals rodeo champions are determined by points accumulated during each go round and in the average. Recapping some of the area highlights from the state finals rodeo. Jace Hurlburt of Arcadia finished runner-up in the girls all around standings for the state finals rodeo. Hurlburt’s finals performance was highlighted by placing first in the breakaway roping and she teamed with Tate Talkington of Scottsbluff to finish second in the team roping. Anna Clark of Thedford finished in the top ten of the girls all round standings placing 7th highlighted by winning the barrel racing.

Other top three finishes at the state finals rodeo for area cowboys and cowgirls included Sid Miller of Merna third in the tie down roping, Ella Switzer of Burwell tied for third in the pole bending, Emma Pearson of Broken Bow was third in the girls cutting, and Jason Ducker-Kursave was 2nd in the bull riding.

Among the year end awards that were handed out, Broken Bow’s Haylea Miller was honored as the “Year End Girls Rookie of the Year”

Haylea Miller of Broken Bow Photo by Stephanie Miller

Points accumulated during the state finals rodeo were added to the points accumulated by competitors during the season to determine who will represent Team Nebraska at the 75th National High School Finals Rodeo in Gillette, WY July 16th thru the 22nd. The top four in the year end standings in each event qualified for nationals. Below is a list of the year end champions and those from the KCNI/KBBN coverage area who qualified for nationals.

Barebacks
Year end champion – Tate Miller (Springview)

Boys Cutting
Year end champion – Bo Bushhousen (St. Libory)

Barrels
Year end champion – Hailey Witte (Crookston)
2nd place – Anna Clark (Thedford)

Anna Clark of Thedford
Photo by Stephanie Miller

Breakaway
Year end champion – Ali Vaughn (North Platte)
3rd place – Jace Hurlburt (Arcadia)
Alternate for Nationals – Lillian Fletcher (Arnold)

Bull Riding
Year end champion – Jason Ducker-Kursave (Arcadia)

Goat Tying
Year end champion – Laney Hoier (Herman)

Girls Cutting
Year end champion – Ava Smith (Pender)
3rd place – Emma Pearson (Broken Bow)

Emma Pearson of Broken Bow Photo by Stephanie Miller

4th place – Gracyn Hicks (Burwell)

Pole Bending
Year end champion – Rylee Nall Sillivan (St. Paul)
3rd place – Ella Switzer (Burwell)

Saddle Broncs
Year end champion – Sutton Schrunk (Valentine)
2nd place – Kaleb Hurt (Callaway)

Steer Wrestling
Year end champion – Wyatt Reichenberg (Harrisburg)
2nd place – Coy Johnston (Stapleton)

Team Roping
Year end champion – Reagan McIntyre (Grand Island) / Owen Littau (Newport)
3rd place – Jace Hurlburt (Arcadia) / Tate Talkington (Scottsbluff)
4th place – Brent Charlton (North Platte) / Coy Johnston (Stapleton)

Tie Down Roping
Year end champion – Tate Talkington (Scottsbluff)
2nd place – Sid Miller (Merna)