Brighton Student Competes in National High School Rodeo Finals

ROCK SPRINGS, WYOMING – Reed Lauderman of Brighton, a Sophomore at Pekin, competed with team Iowa at the National High School Rodeo Finals in Rock Springs, Wyoming from July 14-20. The rodeo is the largest in the world, bringing in contestants from 44 states and five countries.

“It was exciting that we made it and it was just fun to go and have the experience and do pretty well,” said Lauderman.

Lauderman competed in Team Roping alongside Colton Young of Ogden. In Team Roping, Lauderman is tasked with lassoing a steer around its head or horns, while Young ropes its back feet. Lauderman also competes in Calf Roping. He has qualified for the National Finals in each of the last five years.

“I’ve been doing rodeo pretty much ever since I could walk…(I enjoy) the family time I get to have and the adrenaline rush when I’m in the arena...It’s hard to find time to practice with all the other things I do. Just trying to, you know, get to the next level or be the best that I can be, it takes a lot of time...I think it’s very enjoyable and fun. I don’t get stressed out. I don’t get super nervous either anymore,” said Lauderman.

During the first round, the pair roped their steer in 8.87 seconds, placing 33rd out of 180 teams. In the second round, they roped the steer in 9.04 seconds, but received a 5 second penalty for roping one leg and a 10 second penalty for not giving the steer a head start, for a total time of 24.04, which placed 49th. The pair placed 27th overall.

Lauderman plans to continue competing in amateur rodeos throughout the summer and begin competing in high school events again at the end of August.