The 57th National High School Final Rodeo began with competitors from 40 states, along with Canada and Australia on a cloudless day in Gillette, Wyoming. The Hawai‘i High School team was ready and excited to compete in the week-long rodeo.
The 57th National High School Final Rodeo began with competitors from 40 states, along with Canada and Australia on a cloudless day in Gillette, Wyoming.
The Hawai‘i High School team was ready and excited to compete in the week-long rodeo. The students were from the Big Island, O‘ahu, Kaua‘i and Maui.
Garden Isle youths competing this year were Louis Matias, Tyler Duarte, Chaz Rita, and Gavin Shimogawa.
With over 1500 students competing, the National High School Final Rodeo is the world’s largest rodeo.
In addition to competing for over $125,000 in prizes, the contestants fought for more than $225,000 in college scholarships and the chance to be named the National High School Rodeo Champion.
To earn this title, contestants must finish in the top twenty in their event after two go-rounds of intense competition before advancing to Sunday’s final championship performance.
Shimogawa and Duarte had a 20.3 seconds run on their team roping go, but were unable to place in their division.
Overall, the Hawai‘i team finished in 40th place. The boys team earned the 38 spot and the girls were the 35th best squad.
