Cokeville resident Clay Teichert qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) in the Bull Riding event after placing 3rd overall in the Idaho State High School Finals. Tiechert received a no score in the 1st and 2nd Go, but rode for a score of 53 in the 3rd Go, which qualified him for the Short Go where he did not receive a score. However, his 53 points was enough to put him in 3rd place, with the top four going to the National Finals.

In addition, Liberty Vrska of Afton was named the IHSRA State Queen First Attendant.

A handful of other local high school rodeo athletes qualified to compete in the Idaho State Finals last week, but did not qualify for nationals. Bridget Scaffide of Alpine finished 31st in Barrel Racing, Zoey Mendenhall of Afton ended the week at 23rd in Girls Cutting, 39th in Pole Bending and 33rd in Reigned Cow Horse, Cokeville’s Jaydyn Nate was 29th in Girls Cutting and 51st in Pole Bening, Hailee Fromm of Etna finished 13th in Goat Tying, Liberty Vrska as 11th in Rifle Shooting. Diesel Vrska of Afton was 28th in Rifle Shooting and 26th in Trap Shooting, Clay Teichert finished 11th in Saddle Bronc, Hilton Ross of Afton just missed qualifying for National in Team Roping with a 5th place finish and only one point behind 4th place, Case & Ryder Kerr of Afton finished 8th in Team Roping, Cinch Pope was 13th in Team Roping, Ryder Kerr took 12th in Tie Down Roping and Case Kerr took 26th in Tie Down Roping,

The National Finals Rodeo will take place July 19-25 at the Sandhills Global Event Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.