Yoe’s Balch earns tenth place finish at National Finals Rodeo
A Cameron rodeo star was successful at the National High School Rodeo Finals last week.
Brooklyn Balch, Yoe High incoming senior, qualified for the National Junior High Rodeo finals by winning the Texas High School Rodeo State champion goat tyer in June. The state takes their top four contestants in each event to compete and represent Texas at the national finals.
Balch traveled to Lincoln, Neb., this past week where she competed against 166 cowgirls in her event. She dominated the first two rounds of competition.
She came out with a 7.6 second run in her first round to place second and made a smoking run in round two of 7.1 to win the second round as well as the fastest time of the entire rodeo.
She qualified for the final round in the number one spot but didn’t have the run she needed to stay in first.
Balch finished strong and ended up number 10 in the nation. She won several buckles, scholarships and cash prizes.
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 Golden Spur Ministries, and shopping at the NHSFR tradeshow.
Featuring more than 1,650 contestants from 44 states, five Canadian Provinces, Australia, Mexico and New Zealand, the NHSFR is the world’s largest rodeo. In addition to competing for more than $150,000 in prizes and over $200,000 in added money, NHSFR contestants compete 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 are then determined based on their three-round combined times/scores.
Team Texas also won the National Team title by having more combined points than any other state. Team Texas made history by winning the title 6 years in a row, which has never been done.