The Nebraska High School Finals Rodeo begins today at the Adams County Fairgrounds in Hastings. Cowboys and cowgirls from around the state will compete for a chance to represent the state of Nebraska at the National High School Finals Rodeo at Gillette, WY in July. It has been a great season for area cowboys and cowgirls. The top three in the boys all around standings entering the state finals are all from the KCNI/KBBN coverage area. Cooper Bass of Brewster currently leads the boys all around standings with Sid Miller of Merna sitting second and Coy Johnston of Stapleton is third. Reagan McIntyre of Grand Island leads the girls all around standings with Whitney Jennings of Seneca sitting third in the standings.
The top four in each event will qualify for the national high school finals rodeo. Spencer DeNaeyer of Seneca currently sits second in the bareback standings just 6 points behind the leader Tate Miller of Springview. Anna Clark of Thedford is 2nd in the barrel racing 11.5 points behind Hailey White of Crookston and Taci Flinn of Arcadia currently sits 3rd. Cooper Bass of Brewster leads the boys cutting by just five points over Bo Bushhousen of St. Libory and Devin Konicek of Burwell currently sits 3rd in the event. Jason Ducker Kursave and Cooper Kursave of Arcadia are #2 and #3 respectively in the bull riding standings and Jace Hurlburt of Arcadia is currently 3rd in the breakaway roping standings. Whitney Jennings of Seneca is currently third in the girls cutting and Emma Warren of Thedford is 5th in the goat tying but sits just 3.5 points outside the top four. Broken Bow’s Emma Pearson is 5th in the girls cutting but just 1 point out of the top four and is 6th in the pole bending but just 1 point from 5th and 8 points behind 4th. Dane Pokorny of Stapleton leads the steer wrestling heading into the finals with Coy Johnston of Stapleton sitting 2nd and Slate Micheel of Sargent sits 5th just 1 point out of 4th. Sid Miller of Merna leads the tie down roping and Cooper Phillips is currently third in the event.
The first go round of the finals is today, 2nd go on Saturday, and short go on Sunday. Listen to KCNI 1280 AM / 96.3 FM for recaps of each day during the noon and 5 p.m. sports on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
