Rude Takes Part In National Rodeo
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Anthony [email protected]
Participating in an uncommon sport, Rude is currently in New Mexico, preparing to compete in the 61st Annual National High School Finals Rodeo.
"I kind of am the odd man out," Rude said about participating in the sport of bull riding. "No one else is really doing it. There have been a few seniors who tried, but they just wanted to try it for fun."
The sport is also fun for Rude, but it's also become rather serious too.
In order to qualify for the national finals in Farmington, N.M., a participant must place in the top four in his or her respective event on the state level. For Rude, he actually placed first in bull riding in the state of Indiana.
Competing in nine rodeos this year, Rude won four in Indiana, two in Kentucky and another in Ohio. With the winner of each competition being awarded 10 points, nine for second place, and eight for third, Rude compiled a total of 88 points this year. By contrast, Tyler Kilfoil placed second in the state, scoring 38 points this year.
On top of gaining the most points among other bull-riding Hoosiers, Rude also became the Wrangler Bull Riding Champion at the Indiana High School Finals Rodeo in Rensselaer in mid-June.
Now, Rude will join over 1,500 others from 41 states, five Canadian Provinces, as well as Australia between Sunday and July 25. The competitors will vie for a share of the $200,000 in prizes, as well as more than $325,000 in college scholarships.
Included at the rodeo will be Breakaway Roping, Steer Wrestling, Pole Bending, Tie-Down Roping, Goat Tying, Bareback Riding, Team Roping, Barrel Racing, Saddle Bronc and perhaps the most dangerous - Bull Riding.
"It's just fun," Rude said about his sport of choice. "When I started, I could just myself continuing to do it, and just had to keep doing it."
Rude says he was introduced to the sport while he was a fourth-grade member of 4-H.
"This guy asked a group of us if we'd like to try it," Rude said. "And it sounded cool."
The young man took an immediate liking to the sport, even if it did come with more than a few "bumps" along the way.
"I've cracked a few ribs, fractured an ankle and gotten stitches to areas I don't want to mention," he said. "I've also been stepped on."
Despite all that, he keeps coming back for more, practicing where he can.
"There's a guy Columbia City, Roger Owen, who lets me practice there," Rude said.
He also practices in Ohio, and pretty much wherever he can find a bull.
With that practice, he's now set to compete against the best in the country.
"I hope to do well," he said.[[In-content Ad]]
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Participating in an uncommon sport, Rude is currently in New Mexico, preparing to compete in the 61st Annual National High School Finals Rodeo.
"I kind of am the odd man out," Rude said about participating in the sport of bull riding. "No one else is really doing it. There have been a few seniors who tried, but they just wanted to try it for fun."
The sport is also fun for Rude, but it's also become rather serious too.
In order to qualify for the national finals in Farmington, N.M., a participant must place in the top four in his or her respective event on the state level. For Rude, he actually placed first in bull riding in the state of Indiana.
Competing in nine rodeos this year, Rude won four in Indiana, two in Kentucky and another in Ohio. With the winner of each competition being awarded 10 points, nine for second place, and eight for third, Rude compiled a total of 88 points this year. By contrast, Tyler Kilfoil placed second in the state, scoring 38 points this year.
On top of gaining the most points among other bull-riding Hoosiers, Rude also became the Wrangler Bull Riding Champion at the Indiana High School Finals Rodeo in Rensselaer in mid-June.
Now, Rude will join over 1,500 others from 41 states, five Canadian Provinces, as well as Australia between Sunday and July 25. The competitors will vie for a share of the $200,000 in prizes, as well as more than $325,000 in college scholarships.
Included at the rodeo will be Breakaway Roping, Steer Wrestling, Pole Bending, Tie-Down Roping, Goat Tying, Bareback Riding, Team Roping, Barrel Racing, Saddle Bronc and perhaps the most dangerous - Bull Riding.
"It's just fun," Rude said about his sport of choice. "When I started, I could just myself continuing to do it, and just had to keep doing it."
Rude says he was introduced to the sport while he was a fourth-grade member of 4-H.
"This guy asked a group of us if we'd like to try it," Rude said. "And it sounded cool."
The young man took an immediate liking to the sport, even if it did come with more than a few "bumps" along the way.
"I've cracked a few ribs, fractured an ankle and gotten stitches to areas I don't want to mention," he said. "I've also been stepped on."
Despite all that, he keeps coming back for more, practicing where he can.
"There's a guy Columbia City, Roger Owen, who lets me practice there," Rude said.
He also practices in Ohio, and pretty much wherever he can find a bull.
With that practice, he's now set to compete against the best in the country.
"I hope to do well," he said.[[In-content Ad]]
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