By Julie Johansen
Graycee Mills and Ryter Ekker represented the Utah Junior High School Rodeo Association and Emery Junior Rodeo Club at nationals in South Dakota last week. Competing against junior high athletes from all 50 states, Australia, Mexico and Canada, both did very well.
In the light rifle competition, Ekker competed against 113 other shooters on Tuesday. On Wednesday in the short go (final round), he placed eighth, giving him the honors of being eighth in the nation. Ekker is an eighth grade student at Canyon View Middle School.
Mills went against 170 breakaway ropers and was ninth in the first round, 20th in the second round and fifth in the short go, earning fifth overall. She is in the eighth grade at Canyon View Middle School.
Ekker and Mills were among the top placers for the Utah team.
