By Heather Cunningham

The Broadus area had 4 local athletes compete in the Montana High School Rodeo State Competition in Baker, Montana June 8th through the 12th. Action kicked off on Tuesday with the Cutting and Reined Cowhorse Competition.

Chalee Harms placed 1st in both the first and second go around of the cutting and was 2nd in the short go. This gave her the year end win and her first berth to the National Finals in Nebraska.

Chalee also competed in Reined Cowhorse placing 3rd in the first go around, 4th in the second go and winning the short go. Her strong showing ended her sitting 1st for the year end.

Regular rodeo action started Thursday morning and concluded Saturday afternoon. Everyone battled strong winds with gusts up to 60 mph and extreme heat but they showed great perseverance.

Garrett Cunningham won both the first and second go as well as the short go for the year end win in the Saddle Bronc Riding and a spot on the National team.

Kortny Cathey and partner Trevor Klind of Glasgow were 2nd in the first go of the Team Roping, and 10th in the second go. They came back to the short go and Kortny had a quick head catch but some bad luck took them out of placing in the short go.

Ashley Bilbrey placed 4th in the first go of the breakaway roping. She missed in the second go but came back to the short go and roped quick for a 3.41. However a broken barrier took her out of the placing with a 10 second penalty.

Chalee Harms had a great rodeo to win her the Girls All Around title, for the second year in a row. In the Pole Bending she placed 3rd, 2nd, and 3rd in the short go to place her 2nd in the year end. In the Barrel Racing she won the first go, was 6th in the second go, and 7th in the short go to put her 2nd for the year end standings. Breakaway Roping she was 2nd in the first go, a miss in the second go, and 6th place in the short go for a 4th place year end placing and her 5th qualification for Nationals. In the Goat Tying she had some tough luck the first go with her goat getting up. She came back in the second go with a 9th place finish and was 2nd in the short go, just missing the top 4 for the year end.

The National High School Rodeo with take place in Lincoln, NE this year July 18th-24th. Garrett Cunningham will compete in the Saddle Bronc Riding and Chalee Harms will compete in Cutting, Reined Cowhorse, Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, and Breakaway Roping.