The highs and lows of the Nebraska High School Rodeo Finals is now officially over. It certainly went great for some and some contestants....well not so much.

I felt bad for Kaycee Werdel of Chadron. She is an outstanding roper and competitor and just couldn't catch a calf in the breakaway. She should go onto to have a good college career.

As low as Kaycee's weekend was it was totally opposite for Lindsay Adamson of Cody Nebraska. Lindsay and her family are just great people and I was tickled to see her do so well. She came into the finals outside of the top 4 in the both the breakaway and goat tying and ended up qualifying for both in the finals and ended up winning the breakaway and winning a round in the goat tying. Also finished as the reserve AA champ at the finals.

Riley Pruitt took care of business in the calf roping. He came in to the finals in #1 and won all three rounds and the average to solidify his place in high school rodeo roping history. After his final run I announced to the folks there goes the best high school calf roper in the nation. I know I'm right, I just hope he backs up that legitimate claim  @ Nationals. 

What can you say about the all-around Trey Kerner from Sutherland. He competed in all three rough stock events and certainly earned his all around saddle. Bull riding is definitely his strong suit and I hope he can draw the right one at Nationals and get them covered.

Shalee Lemmon it seems always does well at Sate Finals. She just owned the barrels and poles down there and could be a contender for the all-around at Nationals. Let's hope so.

Nebraska is sending a great field in the goat tying. All four girls are capable of winning the national title. Congrats to Mardee Sierks for winning her first saddle. She has competed against her cousin Tylee Coffman all these years and usually finished right behind her. It was neat Mardee go to win the saddle and she earned it.

Oh the progress Zane Smith has made in the bonc riding. Zane finished the year in 2nd place and he has come miles from a year ago. Had he not blew up stirrup he certianly wouldv'e won round two and came close to staying on long enough win to win round 3. Keep it up Zane.

Lastly, I am happy for Matt and Jeff Cover of Ashby. They were in the shadows of the older brother Chris for a lot of years and emerged to show they can certainly rope. I understand the matriarch of Team Roping in  Grant County, Ellen White gave them some good advice before they placed 2nd in round 2. Speaking of round 2...where you there on Friday night? What about the Jobman/Walker run in the Team Roping of 4.78. A new high school finals record. WOW!! That was awesome guys.

As usual the staff in Hastings was awesome. Those guys out do themselves every year and I can't see enough good things about them. What a great marriage. The HS rodeo association loves to go to Hastings and the Hastings committee loves having them come. Even the Mayor of Hastings was out on Saturday serving at the Bar-b-que.

What were your impressions...let m e know. See you in Bertrand tonight>

Later,

TRavis