Nebraska’s Truett McIntyre reached the top of junior high rodeo competition this summer, earning the 2026 National Junior High Finals Rodeo championship in team roping as the heeler.
McIntyre and his partner, Gavin, put together three consistent runs in Guthrie, Oklahoma, to secure the title. The duo posted an 8.57-second run in round one, an 8.09-second run in round two, and a 7.37-second time in the short round.
McIntyre said the experience at nationals was unforgettable, from the competition to the atmosphere surrounding the event.
“Yeah, it’s awesome getting to go down there and the atmosphere,” McIntyre said. “There’s a ton of people there watching and cheering you on, and there’s a bunch of things to do around like goat roping, trade show, and get to have fun with other kids from other states and other countries also.”
Consistency was a major factor in the championship run. Although McIntyre and Gavin live about three hours apart and only roped together once or twice during the season, they built a strong partnership.
“Gavin, my partner, he does great. He’s always so consistent,” McIntyre said. “If I need something different with his handles, he works on that and tries to get me as comfortable as I can be.”
McIntyre credits his preparation at home and the support of his family for helping him succeed. He ropes nearly every day when conditions allow, with help from his dad and sister Reagan.
His horse, Gunnar, also played an important role. Raised by the McIntyre family, Gunnar was previously his dad’s main heel horse before becoming Truett’s partner in the arena.
“My dad trained him and he was my dad’s main heel horse,” McIntyre said. “Then when I was able to ride a more high-caliber heel horse, my dad gave him to me.”
As McIntyre moves into high school rodeo, he plans to focus on continuing to improve and taking each run one steer at a time.
“It’s going to be a whole different level,” McIntyre said. “Hopefully we can get some steers caught and focus on each steer. We don’t have to worry about what comes next in the season.”
McIntyre said competing in Guthrie throughout the year helped prepare him for nationals by giving him experience in the arena where he ultimately became a champion.