Nebraska high school rodeo athletes turned in strong performances during a busy weekend of competition in Thedford and Stapleton, with several competitors posting standout runs across multiple events.
In roughstock events, Kanin Heath captured the bareback riding average title with a total score of 215 after winning Go-Round 1 with a 73-point ride and the short go with a 74. Kelstyn Linder won Go-Round 2 with a 74.
In bull riding, Sutton Schrunk claimed the average title with 148 points after winning Go-Round 1 with a 76-point ride. Parker Chavez won Go-Round 2 with a matching 76. No qualified rides were recorded in the short go.
Grady Gorwill led saddle bronc riding, winning the average with 220 points. Gorwill won Go-Round 1 with a 74 and the short go with a 75, while Cazen Coffman-Smith won Go-Round 2 with a 72.
In barrel racing, Kallan Cox won the average title with a combined time of 53.978. Grace Krafka won Go-Round 1 in 17.957 seconds, Marisa Wykert won Go-Round 2 in 17.953, and Remi Wells posted the fastest short-go run at 17.791.
Wells continued her strong season in breakaway roping, winning the average in 9.81 seconds. She won Go-Round 1 with a 3.02-second run and the short go in 2.86. Phoenix Brown won Go-Round 2 in 3.03.
In goat tying, Annie Hawkins captured the average title in 22.97 seconds. Callie Olson won Go-Round 1 in 7.90, Hawkins won Go-Round 2 in 7.26, and Allyx Forre posted the fastest short-go time at 7.14.
Maci Herrington dominated pole bending, sweeping all three rounds and winning the average in 61.574. Herrington posted times of 20.511, 20.384 and 20.679.
Steer wrestling featured tight competition. Aaron Hall won the average in 21.83 seconds after winning Go-Round 1 in 7.27. Colby Holm won Go-Round 2 in 6.41, while Trey Blackmore posted the fastest short-go run in 6.29.
In team roping, Kaddo Schrunk and Hesston Fay won the average in 30.98 seconds, highlighted by a winning short-go time of 6.89. Jacob Wilson and Dalton Dugan won Go-Round 1 in 9.00, while Rylan Swanson and Grady Gorwill won Go-Round 2 in 10.06.
Kaddo Schrunk also captured the tie-down roping average title in 35.09 seconds after winning Go-Round 1 in 9.60. Hudson Ebmeier won Go-Round 2 in 11.58, and Luke Mead won the short go in 11.54.
In cutting competition, Lucas Sheer won both opening rounds in boys cutting with scores of 151 and 149, but Bracten Barner claimed the average title with 433.50. Kolt Smith won the short go with a 147.
In girls cutting, Allyx Forre won the average with 436.50. Forre won Go-Round 1 with a 145, Remi Wells won Go-Round 2 with a 149.50, and Carsyn McBride won the short go with a 146.
In reined cow horse, Callie Olson won the go-round with a 290.50, while Remi Wells claimed the short go with a 145.
In shooting events, Karsyn Chesley won the light rifle average after posting scores of 263 and 281 in the first two rounds. Wade Krysl won the short go with a 250. In trap shooting, Blaine Frizzell won the average with a score of 141 after winning Go-Round 1 with 49 and the short go with 46. Ian Shane won Go-Round 2 with 46.
Away from the arena, Kesley Hutton was crowned Miss Rodeo Nebraska, while Samantha Starritt earned the title of Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska.
On the pro rodeo side, action continues this week at the Buffalo Bill Rodeo in North Platte. Looking ahead, the Overton Rodeo takes place this weekend in Overton and will be available to watch on SandBox Media.