WACO student to compete in the National High School Rodeo

Tessa Smith, an 11th-grade student at WACO Community School District, has earned a position on the Iowa state/provincial National High School rodeo team and will be traveling with fellow teammates to Rock Springs, Wyoming, July 14-20 to compete at the 71st annual National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) in the Barrel Racing competition.

Featuring more than 1,650 contestants from 43 states, five Canadian provinces, Australia and Mexico, the NHSFR is the world's largest rodeo. In addition to competing for more than $150,000 in prizes, NHSFR contestants will also be competing for more than $375,000 in college scholarships and the chance to be named an NHSFR World Champion. To earn this title, contestants must finish in the top 20 – based on their combined times/scores in the first two rounds – to advance to Saturday evening's final round. World champions will then be determined based on their three-round combined times/scores.

Again, this year, the Saturday championship performance will be televised nationally as a part of the Cinch High School Rodeo Tour telecast series on RFD-TV. LIVE broadcasts of each NHSFR performance will air online at www.RidePass.com. Performance times begin at 7 p.m. on July 14, and competition continues daily at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. through July 20. Make sure to catch the action!

Along with great rodeo competition and the chance to meet new friends from around the world, NHSFR contestants have the opportunity to enjoy shooting sports, volleyball, contestant dances, family-oriented activities, church services sponsored by the Fellowship of Christian Cowboys, and shopping at the NHSFR trade show.

To follow your local favorites at the NHSFR, visit NHSRA.com daily for complete results. For ticket information, visit www.SweetwaterEvents.com.