HEBER CITY — High school rodeo clubs from 36 communities across the state will compete in the Utah State High School Rodeo Finals June 11-14 at the Wasatch County Rodeo Grounds in Heber City.
Participants will vie for the state title in 13 events as well as a spot on the Utah national team. In addition, the Utah High School Rodeo Association will award scholarships to more than 60 seniors.
"Though there will be many rodeos throughout the summer months few will have as strong of an impact in Utah as the High School finals," said Ken Norris, director of the UHSRA. "With more than 350 participants representing 36 rodeo clubs throughout the state, this will be one of the most intense and fun rodeos to see."
The Utah High School Rodeo Finals has a double incentive for the students competing: win the state title in the individual events and earn a spot on the Utah national team. In 2002, the Utah national team fell short of a three-peat to Texas at the national finals, but claimed the boy's national title in the first year of the award. This year the UHSRA is optimistic of its chances.
The UHSRA has been a springboard for some of the best rodeo athletes to come out of Utah. Blue Stone, from Ogden, is the current two-time Professional Rodeo bull riding champion and was part of the 1996 Utah team that won the states first national title. Other professional rodeo athletes that came out of UHSRA include Lan La Jeunesse, Stormy Sagers, Chad Badell and Cody Wright.
The mission of the UHSRA is more than to preserve the western heritage of rodeo. It provides opportunities for students to continue their education after high school. At the Utah High School State Finals more than 60 seniors are selected for scholarships made possible by local sponsors of the UHSRA. An intense interview process, academic successes and rodeo accomplishments determine the recipients of the scholarships.
"We are going to reclaim the national title that has been ours three out of the last six years," said Norris. "These are some of the most talented high school athletes we have seen in Utah rodeo."
The Utah State High School Rodeo Finals begin Wednesday, June 11, and ends Saturday, June 14 at the Wasatch County Rodeo Grounds in Heber City. Events begin Wednesday through Friday at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. with the finals on Saturday at 2 p.m. The cow cutting competition runs Thursday and Friday at 1 p.m. with the finals on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are available at the door.