Dawson Loewen, a Grade 12 student at John Paul II Collegiate, Rayna Yasieniuk, a Grade 11 student at Hafford Central School, and Clay Ellis, a Grade 10 student at Maymont Central School, have earned positions on the Saskatchewan provincial national high school rodeo team.
They will be travelling with fellow teammates to Rock Springs, Wyo. July 14 to 22 to compete at the 70th annual National High School Finals Rodeo in the steer wrestling, tie down roping, team roping and pole bending competitions.
Featuring more than 1,650 contestants from 43 states, five Canadian provinces, Australia and Mexico, the NHSFR contestants will also be competing for more than $350,000 in college scholarships and the chance to be named a NHSFR World Champion.
To earn this title, contestants must finish in the top 20 – based on their combined times/scores in the first two rounds – to advance to Saturday evening’s final round. World champions will then be determined based on their three-round combined times/scores.
The Saturday championship performance will be televised nationally as part of the Cinch Highschool Rodeo Tour telecast series on RFD-TV. Live broadcasts of each NHSFR performance will air online at www.RidePass.com. Performance times are at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily.
Along with great rodeo competition and the chance to meet new friends from around the world, NHSFR contestants have the opportunity to enjoy shooting sports, volleyball, contestant dances, family-oriented activities, church services sponsored by fellow Christian cowboys and shopping at the NHSFR tradeshow.
After the NHSFR Rayna and Dawson along with their families, horses, and other teammates will be making the trek from Rock Springs to Merritt, B.C. for the Canadian High School Finals Rodeo that will be held July 27 to 29.
