Press release
The Texas Junior High and High School Region IV rodeo finals will be held in Athens at the Henderson County Fairpark Coliseum starting at 7:00 pm on Friday, March 27th. Saturday’s action will begin with the Cutting Horse Competition at 9 a.m., followed by the rodeo at 10:30 am. Sunday starting at 9:00 am – church service and awards. Rodeo events include: Bareback, Saddle Bronc, Bull Riding, Jr. Bull Riding, Pole Bending, Goat Tying, Barrel Racing, Chute Dogging, Steer Wrestling, Tiedown Calf Roping, Breakaway Roping, Ribbon Roping and Team Roping.
The top 10 contestants in each event at the end of the weekend’s rodeo, will advance on to the Texas Junior High School State Finals Rodeo in Gonzales in May and the Texas High School State Finals Rodeo in Abilene in June. It is here, at the largest rodeos in the State of Texas, where “The Elite Compete” featuring the top cowboys and cowgirls from each region. They compete for numerous awards, scholarships and the coveted honor of representing the State of Texas at the National Junior High and National High School Finals Rodeo.
Contestants for the Region IV finals will be coming from all over Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Representing Athens in the Junior High Division will be Cutter Carpenter (8th grade student at Martin’s Mill Junior High). Cutter is currently ranked No. 1 in the region in the Boys Goat Tying, Tie Down Roping, Chute Dogging and Ribbon Roping, ranked No. 3 in the Team Roping and is leading the All Around standings. Representing Athens in the High School Division will be Cooper Bane and Cole Surls (Both Seniors at Cross Roads High School). Cooper and his team roping partner (Kolton White from Sumner, TX) are currently ranked No. 1 in the region. Cole and his team roping partner (Chandler Calvin from Pattonville, TX) are currently ranked No. 2 in the region.