Douglas rounds up three for High School Rodeo Finals

Three Douglas County rodeo competitors will be traveling to the National High School Rodeo Finals on July 14-20 in Rock Springs, Wyo.

Steer Wrestling Champion Andrew Morian, Trap Shooting Champion Quinn Rasmussen and Girls Cutter Reserve Champion Ellie Gansberg qualified to participate, according to Todd Gansberg.

“The top four in every high school rodeo event make it to nationals,” said Gansberg, who is Ellie’s father. “The kids compete throughout the year all over the Nevada. The points they earn throughout the year added with the points earned at the state finals, held (Memorial Day weekend) in Winnemucca, determine the national qualifiers.”

Morian placed in Nevada’s top 10 in team roping with partner Brett Vanstavern.

Rasmussen went into the state finals in second place.

“He shot amazing at the state finals which earned his title as the Nevada State High School Rodeo Trap shooting champion,” Gansberg said. “Ellie also ended up placing in the top 10 for the state in the breakaway event as well as the Team Roping with partner Body Ratliff from Elko.”

The finals feature more than 1,700 contestants from 44 states, five Canadian Provinces, Australia, and Mexico. It is the world’s largest rodeo with more than $150,000 in prizes and $200,000 in added money.

Contestants will also be competing for more than $375,000 in college scholarships and the chance to be named a world champion.

The Saturday championship performance will be televised nationally as a part of the Cinch Highschool Rodeo Tour telecast series on RFD-TV. LIVE broadcasts of each NHSFR performance will air online at www.thecowboychannel.com.

Performance times begin 7 p.m. on July 14 and competition continues daily at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. through July 20.

Visit www.sweetwaterevents.com/p/nhsfr/tickets for ticket information.