LIHUE — Paisley Kuhlman, the daughter of Gabe and Laura Kuhlman of Lawai, earned the All-Around Cowgirl award at the junior high school state finals rodeo, which was held at the Kualoa Ranch on Oahu and wrapped up on May 10, according to Tammy Puu, a previous official with the junior high school program.
“Our Kauai district had 12 kids competing with more than 60 juniors from around the state on May 9 and 10 at Kualoa Ranch,” Puu said. “Out of the dozen, nine made it to the short round following two full go’s of rodeo. When the dust settled, we had eight, including Paisley, qualify for nationals. Four of the eight qualifying paniolo accepted their respective bids to compete in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 22 through 28.”
Leading to the coveted All Around Cowgirl honor, Paisley teamed with Colten Manibog to tie for third place in the Ribbon Roping event, and finished first in the Barrel Racing for the state buckle.
During the Team Roping event, Paisley teamed with Chasni Aku of the Big Island to finish fourth place and qualify for a national bid.
“We had a few buckles come home with the kids,” Puu said. “The most exciting was having the coveted All Around title going to our Kauai District cowgirl, Paisley.”
The other two Kauai district teams that tied for third place in the Ribbon Roping event were Mateo Vegas, teaming with Rylee Rita, and Racer Faye, teaming with Kealohi Oliveira.
Puu said that Manibog walked off with the buckle for Boys Breakaway and won the aggregate. In the same event, Vegas finished third, Lawakua Palama placed sixth, and Faye placed No. 8.
Reese Farias finished third in Barrel Racing following Kuhlman’s state buckle performance.
Oliveira finished third in Pole Bending, and Rita finished fifth.
Manibog and Vegas took home the buckles in the Team Roping event, where Kuhlman and Akyu finished No. 4, and Palama and Faye ended in sixth place.
Manibog also finished sixth in .22 cal. Long Rifle with Oliveira following in seventh place.
The Kauai juniors committed to nationals include Kuhlman, partnering with Aku of the Big Island, for Team Roping, and Barrel Racing, Oliveira for Pole Bending and Ribbon Roping, partnering with Vegas, Manibog, partnering with Vegas, for Team Roping, and Goat Tying, and Vegas, partnering with Manibog, for Team Roping, Ribbon Roping with partner Oliveira, and Breakaway Roping.
Puu said juniors qualifying for nationals, but declining this year included Rita, Palama, Faye, and Farias.
Team Kauai Juniors included Jade Pacilio, Paisley Kuhlman, Colten Manibog, Lawakua Palama, Racer Faye, Mateo Vegas, Kealohi Oliveira, Reese Farias, Seaena Davidson, Malia Mckeown, Kamaile Wong, and Rylee Rita.
