Soon-to-be St. Paul's Lutheran School eighth-grader Trevor Cruikshank is a multiple-time National Junior High Finals Rodeo (NJHFR) qualifier.
This week, the cowboy is back competing in Des Moines, Iowa, during the annual event.
“I want to win,” an excited Cruikshank told the Washington County Enterprise on June 18.
On Monday, the Arlington student and goat-tying cowboy earned 10th during the NJHFR's third performance. He dismounted his horse, Clyde, and finished his knot in 13.33 seconds, besting 14 other cowboys from across the country.
“He's always been pretty good,” Cruikshank said of his horse last week.
The St. Paul's student's effort was 33rd out of 88 completed goat-tying runs during the first go-round as of Tuesday afternoon. Mason Sliva of Escalon, Calif., led the standings with a 9.89-second showing.
The first go-round continued through Wednesday morning before the second go-round started that night at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Cruikshank's second run is today during the morning performance. If he lands a top time, he may qualify for Saturday night's final short go-round.
The cowboy has competed in rodeo for a long time, saying the friendships and bonds built keep it fun. Success, however, comes with hard work and practice.
“If you're consistent, and you're smooth and don't mess up,” he said when asked what's key.
Though Cruikshank is still in the middle of his time on the junior high circuit, he plans on continuing to rodeo in high school. That's when he'll focus on calf-roping and team roping.
Cruikshank's older sister, Alexa, will join fellow Washington County cowgirls Hailey O'Daniel and Laney Hoier in Rock Springs, Wyo., next month for the National High School Finals Rodeo, too. It starts July 13 and continues through July 19 at the Sweetwater Events Complex.
