Callie Padgett injured in team roping accident

Callie Padgett Everyone involved with the sport of rodeo knows that it can be dangerous, and tragedy struck a Centerville teen on Sunday afternoon at the Region 9 THSRA rodeo in Crockett.

CHS sophomore Callie Padgett, who is an accomplished rider and currently standing in second place for the Region 9 All-Around Cowgirl title, lost her right thumb in an accident during the team roping competition.

Padgett had already competed in several events Sunday, placing 7th in the Breakaway, 5th in Barrels and 10th in Goat Tying. The final event of the rodeo was team roping, where Callie teams up with Savannah McAdams of Cleveland -- one of the few female teams in the competition. Callie is the header for the team and when she went to dally off she caught her thumb and the rope severed it. When rodeo officials realized what had happened the rodeo was stopped and the thumb was retrieved and packed in ice water. Callie was lifeflighted to Texas Children’s Hospital in Dallas. According to the THSRA website report on Monday morning, surgeons were successful in re-attaching her thumb and it has color. The next 48 hours are critical and the Padgett family would appreciate prayers on her behalf.

Callie is the daughter of Angela and John Henry Padgett. She is a multi-sport athlete for the Lady Tigers, playing volleyball, basketball, and running cross-country and track, and a member of the 4H.