The Junior High State Rodeo Finals begin today in Gillette. Eight Fremont County cowboys and cowgirls are ranked entering the championship with six in the top four of their respective events.
The top four individuals in each event qualify for the national finals.
“Our junior high kids are rocking it this year,” Jess Ruby said.
Kasen McConnaughey is currently third in the boys’ goats and boys’ breakaway. He’s also third in team roping with his partner, Hoyt Peil, from Thermopolis.
Eion Ruby is the top ranked bull rider and 11th in boys’ goat tying. He’s also accrued some team roping points. Ruby was fifth at the national finals a year ago as a fifth grader. Ruby is looking to qualify for the national finals for a third time this weekend.
Three boys are in the top four in chute dogging. Gavin Burgess sits second, Ryker Crimm third and Kreece Burgess fourth.
Cameron Eberline is third in Light Rifle and has points in goat tying and breakaway.
Gavin Burgess is top ranked in a pair of events. He sits first in Ribbon Roping with his partner Paislee Moore from Gillette and is number one in Tie Down Roping. His brother Kreece is fourth in Tie Down.
Ryker Crimm and his partner Paisley Rice from Dayton is fourth in Ribbon Roping and sixth in tie down.
Maddison Evans has points in the girls’ goats tying, breakaway, ribbon roping and light rifle.
Louie Nicholas has points in breakaway, goat tying and team roping.