Student places at junior rodeo

Jase Longwell, a seventh grade student from Thermopolis Middle School, and McCoy Longwell, a sixth grade student from Risen Son Christian School, recently earned positions on the Wyoming National Junior High rodeo team and competed at the 13th annual National Junior High Finals Rodeo (NJHFR) June 18-24, in ribbon roping, team roping, chute dogging and breakaway.

According to results, Jase placed 12th in Ribbon Roping Performance 6, with a time of 18.15. The time was 61st in Round 1.

He also placed 13th in Chute Dogging Performance 2, with a time of 14.06, and 19th in Chute Dogging Performance 11, with a time of 27.18. The 14.06 time was 87th in Round 1 and the 27.18 time was 113th Round 2.

The Wyoming team placed eighth, with 3,645 points. There were no results for McCoy.

The rodeo has roughly 1,000 contestants from 43 states, five Canadian provinces and Australia, and is the world’s largest junior high rodeo.

In addition to more than $80,000 in prizes, NJHFR contestants compete for more than $200,000 in college scholarships and the opportunity to be named a National Junior High Finals Rodeo World Champion. To earn the title, contestants must finish in the top 20 — based on their combined times/scores in the first two rounds — to advance to the final round. World champions are then determined based on their three-round combined times/scores.

Along with the rodeo competition, it’s an opportunity to meet new friends from around the world. Contestants can also enjoy shooting sports, volleyball, contestant dances, family-oriented activities, church services and shopping at the NJHFR tradeshow.