Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Area cowboys ranked high in rodeo finals

High school riders in three events will likely head to nationals

Nat Holland El Defensor Chieftain Reporter

    It will be three days of dust and leather this week for the cowboys participating in the New Mexico High School Rodeo Association State Finals. Events run Thursday through Saturday at the Eddy County Sheriff's Posse Grounds in Carlsbad.

    Several area riders are at the top of their events and are expected to compete in the National High School Rodeo Finals held in Illinois this year.

    Johnny Salvo and Rodee Walraven may be friends that practice team roping with each other three times a week, but when they enter the arena they are tough competitors. Fortunately their competition has sent them both to the top of the high school rodeo scene.

    Salvo's calf roping team, with partner Chase Massengill of Santa Fe, are ahead of Walraven and his partner Beau Marshall of Sierra County by a mere seven point heading into the state finals this week. With 30 points available to be picked up in the finals, either team could come out as the champion team ropers. Both are almost guaranteed to progress to nationals though, as the third placed team is 27 points behind Walraven's team.

    When the dust settles in Carlsbad and things wrap up on Sunday, the Walravens won't be heading back to Datil. Immediately after the awards end on Sunday they will leave and drive all night to watch older brother Wacey Walraven calf rope in the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo. on Monday morning.

    Salvo is ranked third in individual calf roping and may also qualify for nationals in that event. The competition is much closer though.

    The top four participants in each individual event will qualify for nationals, and the top two teams in team roping.

    Quirt McDaniel of Claunch is another area rider who is guaranteed to qualify for nationals. McDaniel is ranked second place in Bareback Bronc Riding, and with his point lead he is guaranteed a spot at nationals.

    Ryan Sanders of Magdalena will also be participating this week, but is not in contention for nationals.

    The NMHSRA conducts 16 rodeos a year where participants can earn points in their events. Eight rodeos are held in the fall, seven in the spring, and the finals in June. State champions are determined by who holds the most points after the finals.

    One of the highlights of the weekend for NMHSRA seniors is the scholarships they award each year. According to state secretary Lori Dearing the NMHSRA awarded $17,000 in scholarships last year to 22 individuals. Dearing estimated the high school rodeo has been running in New Mexico for about 50 years, possibly longer. Records are spotty in early years, but she has records from state finals dating back to 1948.

    The rodeo performance Saturday night is going to be recorded, and will be aired at a future date by RFD-TV, a channel that is available through Dish Network.

    A detailed schedule of this weeks activities and more information can be found at www.nmhighschoolrodeo.com.

    nholland@dchieftain.com

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