By Julie Johansen
Three local youth competed this last week in Gillette, Wyoming at the largest youth rodeo in the world. Over 1,500 contestants from the United States, five provinces of Canada, and Australia spent time from July 13 through the 22 competing for championship titles at the National High School Finals Rodeo.
Carbon team member Kolton Rhodes and Emery team members Hayden Cloward and Riata Christiansen were all national qualifiers. Cloward has been a qualifier for the past three years in team roping and Christiansen is reigning as Utah State High School Rodeo Queen. Christiansen finished sixth in a group of 41 girls while Kolton finished 13th in the light rifle shooting.
They are all very proud to have been chosen to be part of team Utah. They are all juniors and will be competing next year, so watch out Rock Springs, NHSRF for 2018, here they come.
