The National Junior High Finals Rodeo (NJHFR) reached its conclusion Saturday at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines.
Arlington students Alexa and Trevor Cruikshank, and Herman cowgirl Charley Hoier, all took part during the week-long event after qualifying during season-long efforts in Iowa and Nebraska.
Alexa Cruikshank earned a top-20 pole bending finish through 12 rodeo performances, qualifying for the final go-round Saturday night. She finished 13th during it with a 25.27-second run, while taking 15 overall in the average standings.
Cruikshank, notably, earned second during her Thursday performance, stopping the clock in 20.79. She also participated in the breakaway roping, goat-tying, barrel racing and ribbon roping events in Des Moines. The junior high cowgirl was 60th in the goat-tying after a 15.63-second attempt on Friday.
Hoier, meanwhile, earned 53rd out of 180 cowgirls in the goat-tying. She finished her best tie in 9.52 seconds on Thursday after also qualifying for the NJHFR in the ribbon roping.
Trevor Cruikshank competed in the boys goat-tying. He finished 74th in the average, producing his best time — 14 seconds — during a performance June 24.
The National High School Finals Rodeo starts July 14 in Rock Springs, Wyo. Washington County's Laney Hoier, Hailey O'Daniel and Erika Cruikshank all qualified as did marksman Morgan Shaner.
