Marker, Mills, Lamb ride at junior high national rodeo

Mackenzie Marker on her horse Turbo in the Breakaway Roping event at the 2015 National Junior High Finals Rodeo in Des Moines, Iowa. Marker finished with a time of 2.7 seconds to qualify for the short rodeo round where she placed 13th.

Three area students participated in the 2015 National Junior High Finals Rodeo in Des Moines, Iowa, June 21-27.

The three eighth grade students headed to Des Moines for the 11th annual National Junior High Finals Rodeo after placing in the top four at the Junior High Rodeo State Finals in Kennewick May 23-25.

The Des Moines nationals is the largest junior high rodeo event in the world. Participants from Canada and Australia join the U. S. qualifiers.

Mackenzie Marker of Colfax was named 2015 All-Around State Junior High Cowgirl after booking the most points throughout the season. She placed first in state in goat tying and team roping and second in breakaway roping.

At nationals, she qualified for the short round in breakaway roping at 2.7 seconds. She went on to place 13th in the finals. Her horse, Turbo, was also named the Washington American Quarter Horses Association (AQHA) Horse of the Year.

St. John/Endicott's Lance Mills went to nationals as the state's reserve all around champion with a first place finish at state in tie down roping, second in chute dogging and third in team roping. At nationals, he placed 22nd in chute dogging and 26th in tie down roping. Each event included 150 competitors.

St. John/Endicott's Riley Lamb booked his ticket to nationals after a fourth place finish in state light rifle shooting. At nationals, he came away with a 29th place. The event also had 150 participants.

The rodeo season will resume in September for junior high and high school students who will participate in 10 fall rodeos and 10 spring rodeos before the state finals.