Area rodeo athletes leading the way in Region 9

Centerville’s Callie Padgett is back in the saddle -- or quickly out of it, as the case may be -- after losing part of her thumb in a roping accident last month. She earned 1st in Goat Tying at THSRA Region 9 Rodeo #10 last weekend. Van’Go’photo The THSRA season is winding down, with two rodeos left for Region 9, and area cowboys and cowgirls continue to shine. Here's an update on the recent rodeos.

In BARREL RACING, Buffalo High School freshman Heather Humphries has come on strong since the new year. She earned second at Rodeo #8 (16.430), 3rd at #9 (16.603) and 2nd at #10 (16.367) to take over the lead in the highly competitive event. Centerville's Callie Padgett took 6th at Rodeo #7 (17.016) and 5th at Rodeo #8 (16.765). She laid off of Rodeo #9, recovering from losing her thumb while roping, then came back at Rodeo 10 last weekend to take 4th with a 16.500!

Padgett remains a consistent money winner in GOAT TYING, taking the top spot at Rodeo #7 (8.400) and again at #10 (9.180), with a 10th place (11.390) at Rodeo #8. She is tied for second in this event. Humphries has been earning All Around points in the event since the new year.

In BREAKAWAY ROPING, Padgett earned 6th (5.420) and 7th (4.570) in Rodeos #7 and #8, and was back in the competition at #10. Humphries earned All Around points at Rodeo #9 finishing 11th.

BHS cowboy Austin Courmier continues to be a consistent Top Ten finisher in CALF ROPING, taking 1st at Rodeo #7 (11.500), 2nd at #9 (11.670) and 5th at #10 (12.480). BHS freshman Bryce Strack earned All Around points with a 23.970 good for 11th at Rodeo #8.

In POLE BENDING, Humphries finished 4th at Rodeo #8 (20.841) and Oakwood Cydney Kessler had Top Ten finishes at Rodeos #7 and #8 (8th in 21.357 and 10th in 21.834).

Courmier has had two firsts and a 3rd in STEER WRESTLING since the break (5.770, 26.070 and 4.290). Austin Rayborn took first at Rodeo #8 (4.970), and Bryce Strack took second (7.900). Blake Strack took second at Rodeos #7 and #9 (10.780 and 15.180).

In TEAM ROPING Austin and Austin continue to shine, with 2nd at #7 (7.720) and 3rd at #10 (7.910) and are sitting in third place in the event. Bryce Strack and partner Brandon Maxwell of Willis have come on strong, earning 5th at Rodeo #8 (7.940) and 6th at Rodeo #9 (13.220)

With only two rodeos left, Callie Padgett is in second in the competition for All Around Cowgirl, and Austin Courmier is in second for All Around Cowboy, just 120 points behind the leader. Heather Humphries has a solid lead for Rookie of the Year honors among the girls, and Bryce and Blake Strack are leading the competition for Rookie of the Year in the boys' race.