GILLETTE, WYOMING S GILLETTE NEWS RECORD S Tuesday, July 18, 2017 PAGE A9

AT THE RODEO

In for the long haul

Collectively, Florida National High School Finals Rodeo contingent drove more than 15,000 miles
By JASON KORT
NEWS RECORD WRITER
jkort@gillettenewsrecord.net
Following the 2016 National High
School Finals Rodeo in Gillette, Sam
Morgan was eager to load up his
horses and make the 32-hour drive
home to Florida.
Its a pretty boring drive and I
hate sitting in the vehicle, he said.
But the sooner he could get back to
his ranch in the Sunshine State, the
sooner he could begin practicing to
qualify for this years NHSFR.
Morgan had a sluggish rodeo per-
formance last year and felt motivated
to improve.
That effort paid off throughout the
season, as Morgan won his states all-
around title while qualifying for three
events in Gillette: steer wrestling, calf
roping and boys cutting.
A year after making that long
haul to the Razor City, Morgan has
wanted a repeat appearance at the
NHSFR and make that tedious drive
again. Its worth it for another chance
to compete on the national state, he
said.
I knew I could get home and
work hard to redeem myself,
Morgan said. Ive been working to
polish a few things up and get back
there (NHSFR) and try to dominate.
Morgan and his mother, Linda
Lee Morgan, left Florida on July 3,
setting out on the 2,293.2-mile jour-
ney to reach the largest rodeo in the
world. Along the way, they stopped
in Decatur, Texas, and Shawnee,
Oklahoma, for some rodeo action.
The first stop in the Lone Star
State took a 24-hour drive to get to
the 33rd annual Roy Coopers World
Championship Junior Calf Roping
competition. After finishing there,
Morgan hit the road for the next
rodeo the International Youth
Finals Rodeo in Shawnee.
Morgan was disappointed in his
performances along the way to get
to Gillette, but was relieved to finally
arrive Saturday afternoon.
Im missing home, but Im happy
to be here, he said as he got out of
the vehicle.
It was a mere 14 hours to Gillette
from the Sooner State, so Morgan
began to understand his journey was
more than halfway complete. He left
Florida mentally prepared for each
rodeo along the long journey, but had
to amp up the focus after struggling
in Texas and Oklahoma.
Traveling those tedious hours isnt
on Morgans list of favorite things to
do. But when rodeo is at the end of
the road, hes willing.
After his arrival, Morgan didnt
want to think about making the drive
if there hadnt have been two rodeos
along the way.
Im not the most patient person
in the world, so lets not even think
about that, he said.
He said its a good opportunity
to get out and see the country. The
family stopped at Mount Rushmore
last year. The incoming high school
junior said he helps his mother with
driving, and if there are things to do,
well stop and see.
They usually stop every eight to 10
hours to let the horses out to walk
around and give them food and water
before getting back on the road again.
Is it hot in here?
Last years trip to Gillette for
Morgan didnt end the way he had
hoped. It didnt help that on the
way here, they also had some engine
problems with their 2013 Ford F-350.
The family ended up buying a 2016 News Record Photos/Alex Goodlett
Ford F-350 in Gillette. When they
were halfway home in Missouri, the Sam Morgan of Davie, Florida, unloads his horses after driving nearly 2,400 miles to the National High
air conditioner in their new truck School Finals Rodeo at Cam-plex in Gillette on Saturday. Except for competitors from Australia and
went out. That made for a hot rest of Hawaii, hes the competitor who had to log the most miles driving to this years event.
the way home, Morgan said.
That same truck made it back with-
out any trouble, he said. Maybe thats The long haul
an omen for better things to come Florida competitors
during his performances. came a long way to
attend the NHSFR:
In the family 2,293 miles: Sam
Morgan, Southwest
Sam Morgans father Justin
Morgan was a national cham- Ranches
pion team roper in 1989 for the 2,232: Jake Hilliard II,
state of Florida. He teamed up Clewiston
with Jerry Courson. 2,223: Wyatt Hart,
The older Morgan won Cape Coral
his championship in Pueblo, 2,217: Rachel Widener,
Colorado. After his title run, Fort Myers
Justin moved on to amateur 2,205: Lauren
and professional rodeos in the Santagata, Palm City
southeast. 2,194: Kaitlyn
Justin said rodeo is a family Hoffman, Port Saint Lucie
thing, as Sam is a third-gen- 2,093: Cullen
eration cowboy. It is a sport and Reghan Teller,
that allows the two cowboys to Thonotosassa
spend more time together. Sam Morgan of Davie, Florida, checks in after driving nearly 2,300 miles
to the National High School Finals Rodeo in Gillette.

Short goes
A Western treat: Teal
is the new in color
Teal seems to be a favorite
color of the teams competing
in the 69th annual NHSFR in
Manitoba were decked out Wyoming governor
in teal. Apparently that color
has caught on in 2017.
set to visit NHSFR
Wyoming Gov. Matt
Auctions open Mead will be in Gillette on
through Thursday Wednesday evening to take

Cowboy Christmas
Gillette this week. in the National High School
It was particularly appar- A pair of auctions are under- Finals Rodeo.
ent when a North Dakota way and will end Thursday. Mead also attended a year

contestant tried to weave
his way through a gawking
group of California contes-
tants before the mandatory
meeting Sunday morning at
Morningside Park.
But then came more. Teal,
that is.
Those official long-sleeved
shirts are monogrammed dif-
ferently for each individual
state or province participat-
ing this year. But teal also is
the color of the state shirts
for West Virginia, Iowa,
Saskatatchewan (Canada
province), Ohio, Arkansas,
Alabama and Hawaii.
The National High
School Rodeo Scholarship
Foundations live auction
begins at 1p.m. Thursday and
will go until everythings sold.
Bidding for the silent auction
began Monday and will end at
2p.m. Thursday.
There are an estimated 150
to 200 items up for bid, includ-
ing paintings, clothing and
bronze sculptures.
The silent auction, which
benefits the NHSRA Crisis
Fund, will end at 5p.m.
Thursday.
There are about 40 baskets
in the lobby of the Wyoming
IN JULY
ago when Wyoming hosted
the 68th annual edition of the
rodeo.
Hell attend the NHSFR
governors reception from
6-7p.m. Wednesday at Cam-
plex Morningside Park and
then attend the seventh rodeo
performance the first of
the second go-rounds from
7-7:45, according to his pub-
lic schedule.
By the next morning
Gov. Mead will be back in
Cheyenne, welcoming the
queens at the Cheyenne
Frontier Days queens lun-
cheon with the first lady of

Buy 2 Cinch Jeans and

A year ago in Gillette, the Center, many of them donated the Wyoming.
teams from British Columbia, by the rodeo teams and sup-
Florida, Idaho, Kentucky and porters. NEWS RECORD STAFF

get 1 pair Free.

Mens and Womens Denim available at the FCA Country Store.

Check out the Tent,

July 15-23, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at the
Travel Plaza for additional
savings on Western Wear,
Boots and Tack.

Feed Shed July 14-22

8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Were proud to welcome the contestants, families and
visitors this year at the National High School Finals Rodeo!

501 S. Burma Avenue

Gillette, Wyoming 82716
Travel Plaza
2063 S. Garner Lake Road
(South of Cam-plex) 307-257-2068
Mon.-Sun. 5 a.m.-11 p.m.
cchwyo.org f t
Elevator
1206 S. Douglas Hwy. 207 E. First St. 307-257-2068
307-682-4468 Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m.,
Mon.-Fri. 6-7, Sat. 7-5, Sun. 10-4 Sat. 8-Noon