News
Elbert 4.18.13
Elbert County
April 18, 2013
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A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourelbertcountynews.com
Elbert County, Colorado • Volume 118, Issue 12
School rodeo team saddles up
David Crawford, of Kiowa, grabs not only horns, but also a bit of air as he competes in the high school steer-wrestling event at the Elbert County Fairgrounds on April 7. The Colorado Junior High and High School Rodeo attracted more than 130 students from across the state for a two-day competition testing both two-legged and four-legged athletes. Photos by Deborah Grigsby
Youth event at fairgrounds opens chute for future pros By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcolorado news.com Many of the state’s most promising teen rodeo stars made their way to the Elbert County Fairgrounds for the Kiowa Junior High and High School Rodeo. The two-day event, held April 6 and 7, attracted more than 130 contestants from across Colorado, each vying for points to advance their state ranking in both individual and team events. “We don’t have kids in the rodeo today, but we’re here to support our neighbor’s son,” said Alex Conrad of Peyton. “And I think it’s a great opportunity to take a look and get to know the names we’ll be seeing in the future — some of these kids are just amazing.” Made up of students in grades 6-12 from Elbert, Douglas, Lincoln, Weld and
Teek Fritzlan, 2, right, shows his new best friend, 15-month old Trey Ehart, the ropes at the Colorado State Junior High and High School Rodeo at Kiowa on April 7. The two watched many of the state’s most promising teen rodeo stars compete for a chance to go to the national finals in July. El Paso counties, the Elizabeth High School rodeo team was founded in 2010 and sought to bring together students from smaller schools or schools where
the rodeo team may have been dissolved. Like other school sports, team members must meet academic eligibility standards, and must have the
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Logan Massaro, of Loveland, hangs on tight as he tries to make that eight-second ride during the Colorado State Junior High and High School Rodeo. Through a special partnership with Elizabeth High School, many members of the rodeo team can letter in their chosen sport. ability to letter in their selected events such as barrel racing, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding and bull riding. “It’s an opportunity for kids to be part of something different, particularly in schools that might be big on basketball or football,” explained Kathy Sweigart, EHS rodeo team sponsor. Jeremiah Turco, Elizabeth High School Rodeo
board president, whose son Tyler is a saddle bronc rider, said the program builds on everyday skills that many of the team members already have “This is a modest sport,” he said. “There’s no hotdogging or arrogance out there in the arena; but there is a lot of camaraderie and helping each other, something these kids do every day.”
The rodeo season runs from September through mid-June. Contestants that rank in the top four at the end of the season qualify for the national finals. The Kiowa Rodeo also serves as a fundraiser for the EHS team. This year, the event generated more than $15,000 in funds through entry fees and sales.