National Junior High School Finals Rodeo gets underway this weekend in Iowa

Humboldt County's Bryce Fears, Huntley Byrd and Taylor Hill.

Humboldt County's Bryce Fears, Huntley Byrd and Taylor Hill.

The long season for junior high school cowboys and cowgirls has hit its national finals, which begins Sunday at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa.

Five Humboldt County cowboys and cowgirls will compete, as well as a pair of Battle Mountain Rodeo Club members.

The preliminary draw for the week has been announced.

Louise DeLong, the Nevada State Champion All-Around Cowgirl and State Finals All Around champion, will compete in three events.

Humboldt County's Huntley Byrd (left) and Louise DeLong at the Nevada state finals in Winnemucca.

The Nevada state champion in pole bending will make her appearances on Wednesday, June 26, for both performances. 

The reserve state champion in barrel racing will be in the June 25, morning performance and July 27, night performance.  

DeLong and partner Henry Buchanan compete in ribbon roping on Monday, July 24, in the morning and Friday, June 28, in the evening.

Huntley Byrd will also compete in three events and was the Reserve Nevada State Champion All-Around Cowgirl and State Champion in barrel racing.

Her performances for barrel racing are the evening of June 25 and morning of June 27. The Reserve State Champion in pole bending, will make her first run on the evening of Sunday, June 23, and the morning of Saturday, June 28.

Humboldt County's Ben Marvel finished as the State Finals All Around, State Champion Saddle Bronc Steer Riding, State Champion Bareback Steer Riding, 3rd Place Chute Dogging, 4th Place Bull Riding, 4th Place Tie Down Roping.

Byrd competes in girls breakaway roping o June 24 at night and June 28th in the morning.

Ben Marvel, the State Finals All-Around, State Champion Saddle Bronc Steer Riding and State Champion Bareback Steer Riding, will be the busiest with five events.

Marvel will have performances in chute dogging on June 23 and 27, tie-down roping on June 24 and 28, saddle bronc on June 24 and June 28, bull riding on June 25 and June 27 and bareback riding on June 26.

Bryce Fears, the Reserve State Champion in chute dogging, has of his performances on Wednesday, June 26.

Taylor Hill and partner Sawyer Bliss compete in ribbon roping on the night of June 23, and the morning of June 27. 

Hill also will participate in rifle shooting. 

Battle Mountain’s Logan Lancaster, along with Pete Mori compete in team roping on June 25 and 27.