Two headed to National Junior High Rodeo Finals

Submitted by Cameron1 on

Cameron Junior High’s cowgirls and cowboys came out on top at the Texas Junior High Rodeo State Finals in Gonzales the week of May 27 through June 2.  

Cameron was very blessed this year to have seven junior high competitors qualify for the Texas Junior High Rodeo State Finals.  These competitors were Mason Vaculin, Brooklyn Balch, Ann Warrick, Curtis Todd, Connor Barton, Corley Callahan and Macie Vaculin.  

The most coveted awards are an event state championship and an all around championship.  Two of these competitors achieved this.

Brooklyn Balch won the goat tying state championship, third place pole bending champion, and second place ribbon running champion.  She also won the most sought after award, the Texas Junior High Rodeo State Champion All Around Cowgirl. She will be representing Texas at the National Finals in three events.  

Mason Vaculin won two state championships in the team roping and ribbon roping.  He will be representing Texas in two events. He and his partner Luke Leathers also had the fastest time of the rodeo in team roping with a 6.9.  

Together Vaculin and Balch won four saddles 18 buckles during the week. 

Curtis Todd and Ann Warrick took home a buckle for fourth place in the second round of ribbon roping. Todd also competed in the goat tying, breakaway, chute dogging, and team roping. Connor Barton and Macie Vaculin made two nice ribbon runs but missed out on making the short round. Barton also competed in the breakaway. Corley Callahan competed in the girl’s goat tying and light rifle competition. She won 12th at state in the light rifle competition. 

Vaculin and Balch will head to Huron, S.D., June 24-30 for the National Junior High Rodeo Finals - a huge accomplishment in the rodeo world.

The top 100 cowboys and cowgirls are brought to the state finals by qualifying in the top ten in their region in each event. The contestants compete in two go rounds then the top 15 are brought back to the short round/finals at state.  After the short round is over the top four are decided by total points and are awarded the opportunity to compete at the National Junior High Rodeo Finals.