The Emery County junior high rodeo team.
By Julie Johansen
Three Emery County junior high rodeo athletes are competing at the National Rodeo in Huron, South Dakota. At the end of the first round of competition, all three are sitting in the top ten. Cole Magnuson is ninth in the bull riding, Ryter Ekker is ninth in the shooting sports and Byron Christiansen is fifth in saddle bronc and eighth in barebacks. The first round included six performances and concluded Wednesday morning.
The second round began Wednesday evening and concludes Saturday morning. Forty-three states, Australia, Mexico and six provinces of Canada bring 1,100 contestants to this large rodeo. With nearly 100 competitors in each event, all three boys are excited to be in the top ten. Ekker will be competing in the final round while Magnuson and Christiansen have to compete in the second round before securing a spot in the final round.