The National Junior High School Finals Rodeo concluded this past weekend in South Dakota, with a good showing for one Battle Mountain cowgirl in Desi Coombs.
She along with Wylee Mitchell finished sixth in the nation in team roping. The duo had three quick times during their week performance. In their first performance they were fourth with a time of 14.58 seconds. That was good enough for 30th in the go-around. In the second performance, they had a time of 14.1 to place second in the performance and 13 in the go-around.
They qualified for the short go-around and were ninth at 14.76. Their total time of 43.44 was good enough for sixth place.
Coombs competed in four events during the week and had times of 33.092 and 21.412 in pole bending. Her second time was good enough for 10th on her performance.
She was first in her opening performance of goat tying with a time of 7.86. She was eighth in her second performance at 10.73. She had an average of 18.59 to place 26th but she just missed out on advancing to the short go-around.
In addition, Coombs competed in breakaway roping and no times in bot performances.
Gracie Lou Holman also made the trip to South Dakota and competed in pole bending. She had times of 27.362 to place 27th in her first performance and 21.167 in her second performance. She a had a total time of 50.529 and was 106th overall.
Created in 2004, the NHSRA Junior High Division was established to bring the excitement of the sport to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders and to serve as a feeder system into the high school ranks of the Association.
Today, all 48 states and provinces that belong to the NHSRA also produce a Junior High Division as well, with over 2,500 members in total now competing. Junior High Division students compete in a variety of events, including Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, Goat Tying, Breakaway Roping, Tie-Down Roping, Chute Dogging, Team Roping, Ribbon Roping, and Junior Bull Riding, Bareback Steer Riding and Saddle Bronc Steer Riding.
Each summer, the “best of the best” from each state and province qualify for the National Junior High Finals Rodeo. Approximately 1,000 competitors show off their talents in the event and compete for thousands of dollars in scholarships and prizes.
