Wyatt Fagerhaug, an eighth-grade Wessington Springs Midddle School student has earned a position on the South Dakota National Junior High rodeo team and will be traveling to Des Moines, IA June 22 through June 28 to compete at the 20th annual National Junior High Finals Rodeo (NJHFR) in Tie Down Roping and Ribbon Roping competitions.
The Road to Nationals
The format for the South Dakota Junior High Rodeo Association is to hold four regional rodeos, with the first two in Rapid City on April 18-19 and the second two in Huron on May 2-3. Wessington Springs Middle School contestants included Selah Havlik, Hastin Heezen, London Mikkelson and Fagerhaug. All contestants were able to enter the State Finals held in Rapid City on May 16-17, with the top 15 contestants in each event advancing to the Short-Go on Sunday, May 18.
Mikkelson and Fagerhaug advanced to the Short-Go on Sunday, with Mikkelson competing in Pole Bending, Breakaway Roping, Ribbon Roping and Goat Tying. Fagerhaug competed in Tie-Down Roping, Goat Tying and Ribbon Roping. He ended the year Reserve Tie Down Roping Champion and 4th place overall team in the Ribbon Roping.
About NJHFR
Featuring roughly 1,200 contestants from 43 U.S. States, five Canadian Provinces, Australia, and Mexico, the NJHFR is the world's largest junior high rodeo. In addition to competing for more than $80,000 in prizes, NJHFR contestants will also be competing for more than $200,000 in college scholarships and the chance to be named a National Junior High Finals Rodeo World Champion. To earn this title, contestants must finish in the top 20 – based on their combined times/scores in the first two go-rounds to advance to Saturday evening’s final round. World champions will then be determined based on their three go-round combined times/scores. Added money for the optional jackpot has increased to $100,000 and is available to everyone at finals who enters the jackpot in their event.
Again, this year, the Saturday championship performance will be televised nationally as a part of the Cinch High School Rodeo Tour telecast series on RFDTV. Live broadcasts of all NJHFR performances will air on: https://www.cowboychannelplus.com.
Performance times are 7 p.m. on June 22 and 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. each day thereafter.
Along with great rodeo competition and the chance to meet new friends from around the world, NJHFR contestants have the opportunity to enjoy shooting sports, volleyball, contestant dances, family-oriented activities, church services sponsored by Golden Spur Ministries, and shopping at the NJHFR trade show, as well as visiting area attractions as Des Moines hosts the NJHFR this year.
To follow your local favorites at the NJHFR, visit www. NHSRA.com daily for complete results.