Des Moines, Iowa – Koalton Heckler, a 14-year-old from Mill Creek, West Virginia, achieved the prestigious title of “World Reserve Champion” in chute dogging at the National Junior High Finals Rodeo (NJHFR) held in Des Moines, Iowa.
Chute dogging is an event designed to prepare youth and junior high cowboys for steer wrestling. In this challenging competition, participants must bring a steer to a line ten feet from the chute and then wrestle, or “dog,” the steer to the ground.
The NJHFR is the world’s largest junior high rodeo, featuring around 1,200 contestants from 43 U.S. states, five Canadian provinces, Australia, and Mexico. This year, Team West Virginia sent 13 students to compete in various events for the title of National Junior High Finals Rodeo World Champion. Contestants need to place in the top 20, based on their combined times and scores in the first two go-rounds, to advance to the final round. The world champions are determined by their combined times and scores from all three go-rounds.
Heckler’s performance was exceptional from the start. He placed 17th in the first round with a time of 4.1 seconds and won the second round with an impressive 2.72-second run, securing his place in the final competition among the top 20 contestants worldwide. In the final “short-go,” Heckler excelled, delivering a remarkable 2.65-second run, tying for first place and posting the fastest time of the week.
“We are incredibly proud of Koalton’s achievement and of all of the young men and women who rodeo with WVHSRA,” said Brandon McCormick, President of the West Virginia High School Rodeo Association.
In addition to earning bragging rights, champion buckles, and a medallion for the fastest time, Heckler received over $1,000 in scholarship funding.
This year, the WVHSRA awarded $20,000 in scholarship funding to graduating seniors. For those interested in joining or learning more about the WVHSRA, visit www.wvhrsa.org.
Joeal Bright is a committed journalist at WVPrepBB.com, focusing on USA and crime news. With a knack for in-depth reporting and a dedication to delivering accurate and timely information, Joeal keeps readers informed about crucial national events and crime stories. His work on WVPrepBB.com is essential for those seeking comprehensive coverage and insightful analysis of current events in the United States.
