By Julie Johansen
Members of the Emery Junior High Rodeo team pictured above include (starting from the top, left to right) Ryker White, Matthew Olsen, Cole Magnuson, PJ Tayloro, Byron Christiansen, Joshua Olsen, Zeek Weber, Graycee Mills, Kinlee Jensen, Race Gordon and Monty Christiansen. Not pictured are four team members who compete in the shooting sports, including Ryter Ekker, Thomas McElprang, Kashley Rhodes and Wesley King. All of the members qualified during the regular rodeo season to compete at the state finals last weekend in Heber City.
Several finished in the top ten in each event:
Bareback Riding: Byron Christiansen, second, and Monty Christiansen, fifth
Girls’ Barrels: Graycee Mills, sixth
Boys’ Goat Tying: Byron Christiansen, third
Bull Riding: Cole Magnuson, fourth, Byron Christiansen, sixth, and Monty Christiansen, ninth
Chute Dogging: Josh Olsen, seventh
Saddle Broncs: Byron Christiansen, first, and Monty Christiansen, ninth
Ribbon Roping: Cole Magnuson, ninth
Pole Bending: Graycee Mills, fifth
Tie Down Roping: Cole Magnuson, ninth
Rifle Shoot: Ryter Ekker, tied for second
Each rodeo athlete that placed in the top four received a buckle and the opportunity to compete at national junior high competition in South Dakota in late June. Competing for the Emery team will be Cole Magnuson and Byron Christiansen. These events can be seen online at www.wrangler.com.