Local Students in National Finals Rodeo

Four area students are competing this week in the 2023 National High School Finals Rodeo in Gillette, Wyoming. They qualified with outstanding performances at the Wisconsin High School State Finals Rodeo in Richland Center last month. Lainee Burks of Lancaster will be competing in barrel racing and goat tying. Also competing is Jesse Vesperman of Platteville. He qualified in steer wrestling, tie-down roping, trap shooting, and in small bore rifle. Also from Platteville is Wyatt Heer, who qualified in boys cutting, team roping, and tie-down roping. River Ridge’s Brody Kielley will be competing in steer wrestling. At the state finals at Richland Center, Ithaca’s Josie Laue was runner-up for all around Cowgirl. Lancaster’s Grace Bennett was runner-up in the queen competition. This year marks the 75th Annual National High School Finals Rodeo, which concludes on Saturday.