GILLETTE, Wyo. — Utah's cowboys and cowgirls are showing there is some top-level rodeo in the Beehive State.
Team Utah is running away with the overall team title at the National High School Rodeo Finals after two days of competition with a healthy lead of 2,300 points with Oklahoma second at 1,790. The boys squad has 1,255 points for first place, with No. 2 New Mexico at 1,020.
Randlett's Joe Frost is tied for the honor of top overall cowboy, while Bluffdale's Shaylee Thacker is tied for sixth for the overall cowgirl award.
Other's representing the state well and in the top-10 include: McKale Hadley ( second, Barrel racing); Dally Jo Bundy (second, goat tying); Tyler Bingham (first, bull riding); Shaylee Thacker (first pole bending); Garrison Cannon (eighth, tie down roping), CoBurn Bradshaw (fifth, saddle bronc); Dax Hadlock (first boys cutting); Paige Hadlock (first girls cutting).
The competition continues today through Saturday.
Nationa High School Rodeo Finals
MORNING SESSION
Bareback Riding
1. Wyatt Bloom, Bend, Ore., 67
2. Jesse de Burgh, Lake Clifton, Wash., 66
3. Joe Frost, Randlett, Utah, 64
Team Roping
1. Josh Fish, Moriarty, N.M., Carl Sweazea, Mountainair, N.M., 6.95
6. Jace Mitchell, Veyo, Utah, Houston Thomas, Holden, Utah, 12.92
Tie-Down Roping
1. Tel Schaack, Hermosa , S.D., 9.17
2. Garrison Cannon, St. George, Utah, 10.97
Pole Bending
1. Macy Fuller, Clarkston, Wash., 20.393
22. Jasmine Jones, Tabiona, Utah, 25.888
Bull Riding
1. Tyler Bingham, Honeyville, Utah, 85
Girls Cutting
1. Beka Jo Wiliamson, Archer City, Texas, 215.5
2. Tamara Davies, Rocky Mtn. House, Alberta, Can., 214.5
3. Taylor King, Kaysville, Utah, 213
EVENING SESSION
Tie-Down Roping
1. J.W. Thrush, Gillette, Wyo., 10.29
8. Quinn Kesler, Holden, Utah, 15.31
Bareback Riding
1. Casey Meroshnekoff, Red Bluff, Calif., 72
6. Lex Ju, South Jordan, Utah, 65