Lincoln County High School played host to rodeo club riders across the state for the last rodeo of the season before state finals in Ely. (Rachel Williford photo)
Students of the Lincoln County High School Rodeo Club played host to junior high and high school rodeo club participants across the state for the last rodeo of the season before the state finals in Ely.
The LCHS Rodeo Club is comprised of three students, President Stefan Hale, junior, of Pioche, Vice President Jared Carter, sophomore, from Caliente, and Secretary Joy Wadsworth, sophomore, of Panaca, and includes more than a dozen volunteer students. Around 15 youth participate and volunteer their time, rounding up cattle and prepping for events.
Friday night kicked off with a four-course dinner at the Exhibit Hall, followed by a dance that many of the visitors participated in. Events ran all weekend.
Junior high and high school riders participated in bucking broncos, ribbon roping, breakaway events, bull riding, chute dogging, team roping barrel racing, steer wrestling and more.
Missy Cheeney, director for the LCHS Rodeo Club, says the students were a viable part of the event. With efforts from students like Caitlynn and Aaron Cheeney, Brandon Dejaquez, Shaden Oliver, Nefi Wadsworth, Emma and Maggie Pearson, Dylan Delmue, Thomas Gloeckner, Raymond Thompson and Ty Thompson, the only junior high student in the bunch, and many more, the Lincoln County high school rodeos are one of the most successful rodeos across the state, according to director Cheeney. “We received numerous compliments over the weekend, everyone loves coming here,” she said. More than 150 riders signed up for the event.
She also gave great thanks to John Scott, “for stepping in as director to help us out.”
Cheeney said, “I commend Stefan Hale’s work. He did an extraordinary job as club president, putting in countless hours on our rodeo and organizing the members to get everything done.
Alamo presented a few good riders that placed in the top ten multiple times. Lincoln County high school riders did not place in the top ten. This year saw no qualified riders on the bulls. “The bulls won this weekend,” Cheeney said.
Many local volunteers helped and assisted in the events. With great thanks to the many volunteers, EMT personnel, sponsors and supporters of the event, the rodeo was a success.
