Julianne Montero recorded times in both her events in the first go-around at the National Junior High School Finals Rodeo in Des Moines, Iowa, to lead the contingent of three Humboldt County Rodeo Club members.
Montero won the Monday evening performance of goat tying with a time of 8.56 seconds. The to be freshman at Lowry High School was fifth after the first go-around was complete on Wednesday morning. There are 130 participants in goat tying.
Kodey Hoss of La Junta, Colo., leads the goat tying at 7.97. Montero sits just .25 seconds out of second place. She will compete in the second go-around on Friday morning.
In addition, Montero is competing in barrel racing and was 12th in the Tuesday evening performance at 16.062. Her time is good enough for 49th overall out of 170 riders. Montero made her second run in barrels on Thursday morning and results were not available at press time.
Cade Bell is busy in Iowa, taking part in six events. Bell placed 13th in the Monday morning performance of goat tying at 11:52 and was 41st after the first go around. Bell makes his second run on Friday morning.
Montero, along with partner Emma Lemaire, were 14th in the Sunday evening performance of ribbon roping with a time of 18.63. The duo make their next tun on Saturday morning.
Bell turned in a time of 38.52 in the Monday evening performance of chute dogging. He recorded a no-time in breakaway roping and team roping and did not have a score in saddle bronc steer riding.
Bell made his second run in breakaway roping and saddle bronc steer riding on Thursday and results were not available at press time.
Featuring roughly 1,000 contestants from 42 states, five Canadian provinces and Australia, the NJHFR is the world’s largest junior high rodeo. In addition to competing for more than $75,000 in prizes, NJHFR contestants will also be vying for more than $100,000 in college scholarships and the chance to be named a National Junior High School Rodeo national champion.
To earn this title, contestants must finish in the top 20 based on their combined times/scores in the first two rounds to advance the final round on the last day of the event. National champions will then be determined based on their three-round combined times/scores.
The championship performance will be televised nationally as part of the Cinch High School Rodeo Tour telecast on RFD-TV. Live broadcasts of each performance will air online at HHSRATV.com.
Along with rodeo competition and the chance to meet new friends from around the world, contestants have the opportunity to enjoy shooting sports, volleyball, tug-of-war, dances, family-oriented activities, church serviced sponsored by the Fellowship of Christian Cowboys, shopping at the trade show and visiting area attractions in Des Moines.
For more information and up to date results, visit www.HHSRA.org.
