Four from county to compete in National High School Finals Rodeo

All roads lead to Rock Springs, Wyo., July 14-20 for the 71st annual National High School Finals Rodeo, to include competitors from the United States, Mexico, Australia and Canada.

Among them are four names from Whitman County who finished in the top four in Washington state to qualify.

Lance Mills, a 2019 graduate of St. John/Endicott High School, won the state championship in tie-down roping and took second in trap-shooting, a high school rodeo event. He will compete in both at nationals.

Jordan Paddock, a bullrider and 2019 Garfield/Palouse graduate, placed second in state to advance to nationals.

Wesley Castanon, a new Oakesdale graduate, finished third in Washington in saddle bronc to make it to Rock Springs.

Sydney Berquist, a junior-to-be at Colfax High School, goes to nationals in breakaway roping, for which she finished third in state.