Junior high kids take 1st, 2nd at state rodeo
Daniel Martynowicz
Junior high rodeo athlete Nichole Lake won second at state in goat tying and will compete on the national level June 24-30 in New Mexico.
courtesy photo
Robert Rider jumps off his horse during the goat tying competition at the junior high state rodeo last weekend. He won the event.
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The Mission Valley sent no shortage of talent to the junior high state rodeo competition last weekend.
Robert Rider placed first in the goat tying event and tied for fifth through seventh in calf roping. He practices goat tying two to three nights per week and has for several years; however, he started calf roping just one month ago.
"I like getting off the horse and going fast," Rider said. "It's fun because you're going fast and getting off. It's fun ... until you face-plant."
Nichole Lake also performed very well at the competition, placing second in state for goat tying and earning a second-place finish for the entire year.
"I'm excited and honored. It feels good to be in the top of the state," Nichole said.
Nichole has been riding since she was 3 years old and used to jump horses, but she's more than a talented athlete; she's also a straight-A student.
Both Rider and Lake will represent the Mission Valley Rodeo Club during the upcoming National Junior High Finals Rodeo in Gallup, N.M., June 24-30.
