Year in and year out, members of the Ute Mountain Rodeo Team enjoy solid results at the Colorado High School Rodeo Finals. This year was no different.
Competing at the High School Rodeo Finals in Craig, Colo., May 21-26, several members of the team performed well, thus earning impressive finishes in a variety of challenging events.
Leading the way for the Ute Mountain Team was Saddle Bronc rider Tanner Lockhart, who finished first overall in the state.
Also performing well was Dolores High School junior Cammie Maxwell, who finished 10th in Barrel Racing with 41 total points on the season. Thanks to her impressive finish at state, Maxwell qualified for the Silverstates Invitational Rodeo in Winnemucca, Nev., June 29-July 5.
“I think I did pretty good,” said Maxwell, discussing her season. “My horse got hurt through part of it, but I think I did well considering that that happened.”
Other top placers for the Ute Mountain Team included Stormi Pitman, who finished fifth in girls cutting, eighth in goat tying and 18th in the state in barrel racing. Pitman will attend the International Youth Rodeo Finals in Shawnee, Okla., July 6-11.
Whitney Finley placed 12th in the state in breakaway roping, while Cassie Finley placed 12th in the state in goat tying.
“I started slow at first, but I started winning a little bit and coming up in the standings,” said Whitney Finley. “I definitely would like to make it to Nationals (next year).”
Rounding out the Ute Mountain Team’s finishers, Maddie Shaline finished 14th in the state in breakaway roping and Shelby Fullmer placed 14th in the state in goat tying.
With their high school season now complete, many Ute Mountain Rodeo Team members will continue competing in junior rodeos throughout the summer in preparation for next season.