Three qualify for National H.S. Rodeo

Tommi Sue Swannack took first in Washington state for Breakaway Roping and Goat Tying.

Held over Memorial Day weekend in Kennewick, the Washington State High School Rodeo Finals resulted in top placers from Whitman County.

Three local girls qualified to go to the National Finals in Gillette, Wyo., July 17-23.

Lamont’s Tommi Sue Swannack, a senior-to-be at Sprague High School, won the Breakaway Roping and the Goat tying taking the state championship in both events.

Jacey Johnson, a senior-to-be from Oakesdale High School, took third at state in the goat tying.

Callie-Rae Marker, another senior-to-be from Colfax High, placed fourth in the Breakaway Roping.

Contestants compete throughout the school year in 16 rodeos all over the state, but only the top four in each event will travel on to the National Finals in Wyoming.

At the junior high state finals, also held in Kennewick, Sydney Berquist of LaCrosse finished second in Breakaway Roping, fifth in pole bending and fifth in Team Roping. Berquist qualified to travel to Lebanon, Tenn., June 26-July 2 for the Junior High National Finals Rodeo.