Youth qualify for national rodeo finals

TOUGH ENOUGH:
Casey Meroshnekoff, 14, has earned his chance at the national Finals for the second year in a row.

Kayla Nichol, 13, of Cottonwood will join the California Wrangler Junior High Rodeo Team that is making a trip to the National Finals in Gallup, N.M., from June 30 to July 6.

Nichol placed fourth at the California State Finals. She will compete in three go-rounds of barrel racing throughout the week. Nichol has been participating in barrel racing since age 5.

Nichol said her favorite part of making the national team is just being able to go and compete at such a big event and meet new people. Being nervous is not a big thing for Nichol. Before going to a rodeo, she just wants to compete and see where she will end up. She is looking forward to the future and being able to compete in the California Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association when she turns 16.

Nichol was raised to rodeo. Her mother, Kelli, and sister, Jenna, participate in barrel racing while her father, Bob, is a team roper.

Meanwhile, Casey Meroshnekoff, 14, formerly of Cottonwood, qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Team by placing fourth at the state level in bull riding. This is his second time to qualify for the Wrangler Nationals. Meroshenekoff started riding steer at age 9 and is now moving on to bigger livestock.

Meroshnekoff will not be able to make the trip to the finals due to family commitments, but hopes to make it to the High School National Finals next year.

“Even though I am unable to attend, I am still excited about making the team.

I’ve been working really hard all year in my events,” stated Meroshnekoff.

Meroshnekoff is the son of Alex Meroshnekoff of Red Bluff and Shannon Meroshnekoff of Anderson.

High School Rodeo Athletes in the News

The California High School Rodeo District One team from the North State won top honors at the state level and won first place for the entire 2007-2008 season. The team qualified eight cowboys and cowgirls for the National Finals Rodeo in Farmington, N.M. The High School National Finals Rodeo will be held July 19-26.

To be able to compete at the national level, participants must place within the top four in the state in their event. District One All-Around Cowboy, Daniel Ferreira of Fort Jones, placed as the Reserve All-Around Cowboy at the state finals.

District One also qualified eight cowboys and cowgirls for the Silver State International Rodeo in Fallon, Nev., taking place June 30-July 5. To qualify to compete at the Silver State International Rodeo, cowboys and cowgirls must place 5th through 10th at the state finals.

This year’s team at the national level will consist of:

Bareback — Cody Higgins, Red Bluff.

Bull riding — Jordan Spears, Redding.

Steer wrestling — Larry Ferreira, Fort Jones.

Tie down roping — Daniel Ferreira, Fort Jones; and Adam Andreini, Red Bluff.

Boys cutting — Dean Autry, Fort Jones.

Goat tying — Bliss Bidwell, Hat Creek.

Barrel racing — Rylee Lamson, Corning.

Team roping, header — Larry Ferreira, Fort Jones.

Team roping, heeler — Daniel Ferreira, Fort Jones.

This year’s Silver State International team will consist of:

Saddlebronc — Dean Autry, Fort Jones and Laramie Collins, Weed.

Bull riding — Laramie Collins, Weed.

Steer wrestling — Daniel Ferreira, Fort Jones

Girls cutting: Jessica Vigil, McArthur, and Katie Lear, Anderson.

Breakaway Roping: Callie Anthony, Red Bluff.

Barrel Racing: Jessica Andrews, Cottonwood.