Bell, Trinity get ready to host rodeos
The 2016-17 North Texas High School Rodeo Association season is underway, and coaches at Euless Trinity and Hurst L.D. Bell are hoping returning experience translates into strong seasons for several athletes.
Also, Bell and Trinity will each be hosting a rodeo this fall. Bell’s event will be this weekend, and Trinity’s is Nov. 11-13. Both rodeos will be at the at the NTHSRA arena in Saginaw, starting at 8 p.m. on Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
The Trojans return senior Cy Luschen, who advanced to the NTHSRA Finals in bareback riding last season. He finished sixth in the finals and fourth overall in the standings.
“We are hoping to have a great year and finish in the top three this year,” said coach Michael Luschen, Cy’s father.
Also returning from last season is junior Sharoby Ratcliff. She competes in walk-up goat tying and barrel racing.
“I think both kids will get in a groove and start making a run for that top spot this year,” Michael Luschen said.
“Like every year, it’s going be a fight to the end for all the kids that are competing each week. There are a lot of young kids signed up this year, so the competition will be great.”
The Blue Raiders return three athletes with solid competitive experience, senior Sierra Spears in barrel racing and goat tying, junior barrel racer Molly Hunter and sophomore Brye Eberling in barrel racing and pole bending.
Key newcomers include junior bull rider Daylen Powell, sophomore Hunter McDougall in bull riding and chute dogging and sophomore Trace Perez in chute dogging.
“We are a young team this year with a clean slate. The sky is the limit,” Bell coach Chris Currie said. “They have a strong desire to perform well with the support of our team members as we strive to improve our skills and learn to compete with ourselves and the other members of North Texas High School Rodeo Association.”
As for Powell and McDougall riding bulls, Currie said, “It’s no easy task to willingly climb on the back of an angry 2-ton animal.”
Perez is also on the football team and baseball team, making him a well-rounded athlete, Currie said.
Eberling is a second-generation barrel racer in the NTHSRA. Her mother, Lena Yarbrough West, also rode in the association during her high school years.
“We are looking forward to a great year with new and returning members as they build their skills and learn to compete in the great sport of rodeo,” Currie said. “I hope that they will learn lessons in teamwork and gain the confidence and self-respect that comes from competing in these high-pressure events.
“Rodeo is actually a competition with yourself as you work to improve your times and do your event better each week, much more than the competition against others.”
This story was originally published September 26, 2016 at 11:03 AM with the headline "Bell, Trinity get ready to host rodeos."