Press Release
Members of the Carbon High School rodeo team recently competed at the Utah High School Finals Rodeo, where the team had a strong showing both in the arena and academically.
Halfway through the week, the rodeo paused to recognize graduating seniors throughout the state and the UHSRA awarded scholarships to Seniors who plan to continue their education after high school. Carbon High Seniors Kashley Rhodes, Shalako Gunter and Kayson Peterson walked away with several scholarships. Kashley Rhodes was awarded a $3,500 scholarship from the UHSRA, as well as the prestigious $2,500 Dalton Van Memorial Scholarship, which was founded in 2021 by the Lucky You Cowboy Crisis Fund to honor the late Dalton Van.
Rhodes was only the fourth recipient of this scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to the outstanding senior who showed excellence in both the Light Rifle and Trap shooting disciplines. Shalako Gunter was awarded a $500 UHSRA academic scholarship as well as a $3,200 scholarship from UHSRA and Kayson Peterson was awarded an $800 scholarship from the UHSRA.
When the dust settled in the arena, several members of the Carbon Rodeo Team earned top honors in their respective events. 15 members of the team qualified for the UHSRA state finals competition: Lacey Anderson Barrel Racing, Ivy Blanton Breakaway Roping, Logan Curtis Team Roping, Kaden Donathan Steer Wrestling and Team Roping, Madisen Donathan Goat Tying and Barrel Racing, Brendan Dowd Team Roping, Ean Ellis Tie Down Roping and Team roping, Shalako Gunter Trap Shooting and Light Rifle, Kanyon Mills Tie Down Roping and Team roping, Maddison Nielson Breakaway Roping, Barrel Racing, Pole Bending and Team Roping, Braden Noyes Tie Down Roping and Team Roping, Kayson Peterson Team Roping, Izybella Prettyman Pole Bending, Kashley Rhodes Light Rifle and Hayden Tonc Light Rifle.
Members placing in the top 20 in the first go round were Shalako Gunter, tied for second place trap shooting, Hayden Tonc, third, Kashley Rhodes fifth. Shalako Gunter earned 16th light rifle, Kaden Donathan, fifth in Steer Wrestling, Ivy Blanton took 15th and Maddison Nielson earned 16th Breakaway Roping. Ean Ellis was third in tie down roping while Izybella Prettyman was 19th pole bending.
Placing in the top 20 in the second go round were, Shalako Gunter, first place tie trap shooting, Hayden Tonc, fifth, Kashley Rhodes eighth and Shalako Gunter once again, earning 15th light rifle, while Lacey Anderson took 18th in barrel racing. In team roping, Logan Curtis and his partner placed fourth, partners Kayson Peterson and Brenden Dowd took seventh, Kanyon Mills and partner, ninth, and Ean Ellis and partner were 11th. Ean Ellis also tied for fourth and Braden Noyes, 19th in tie down roping, Izybella Prettyman placed 13th in pole bending.
Placing in the Short go were Shalako Gunter, first place tie trap shooting, Kashley Rhodes, fourth and Hayden Tonc, ninth. Shalako Gunter, 14th light rifle, Ean Ellis, ninth in tie down roping and Kanyon Mills took sixth in team roping.
Placing in the top 20 in the average for the week were Shalako Gunter, once again taking first place in trap shooting and 14th in Light Rifle, Hayden Tonc earned fourth place and Kashley Rhodes, fifth place, in Light Rifle. Ean Ellis placed second in Tie Down Roping, while Kanyon Mills took seventh and Logan Curtis, 11th, in Team Roping. Ivy Blanton was 16th Breakaway Roping.
The Carbon rodeo team had three members finish in the top 4 overall. They were Shalako Gunter, Champion in Trap Shooting, Ean Ellis was the Reserve Champion Tie Down Roper and Kashley Rhodes finished third in Light Rifle. These three will represent the state of Utah at the National High School Finals Rodeo in Rock Springs Wyoming, July 14-20.
