Sports

Only one local competitor advanced to the Texas Junior High Rodeo Association state finals following last weekend’s two-day tri-state rodeo here. Flint Hill competed in saddle bronc steers, team roping, ribbon roping, and boys breakaway—and bought a ticket to the state finals in all four events. Jaylee Lane, of Morse, won All-Around Girl, and Clint Cross of White Deer was named All-

Two Region 1 Tri-State High School Rodeo saddle bronc riders will advance to the National High School Rodeo Association finals next month, after posting winning performances at last weekend’s state finals in Abilene.

On May 28, 55 players gathered at the Canadian Golf Course for Thursday Scrambles, which ended in a carry-over with 7 under par. Alan Witcher and Cassie McNees were winners of the men’s and ladies’ long drives, while Brandon Stroebel hit one closest to the pin on #2, and Gary Prater won closest to the pin on #8.

After closing for two months this spring due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Canadian Community Center quietly announced its soft reopening in mid-May, and this month, kicked off a busy schedule of summer programs.

K101-Woodward’s Classic Bowl XXXII, originally scheduled for May 26-30, and then rescheduled for July 1-3, was finally canceled last week due to the difficulties created by the COVID-19 crisis. Six Canadian Wildcat football team members, one Lady Cat basketball player, and three Higgins Coyote basketball players had been invited to participate.

After a long, dry spell this spring, the rodeo circuit fired back up last weekend in Canadian with the Tri-State High Sthool Rodeo finals. The Canadian Rodeo Arena hosted 67 contestants and their friends and families for three days of action in near-triple digit temperatures, that didn’t seem to phase either the contestants or the fans. This was the last round of competition before these riders headed to the Texas State High School Rodeo finals which were already underway in Abilene at the Taylor County Expo Center. Region 1 contestants will be competing starting at 8 am this morning (Thursday, June 11), and again at 2 pm. To watch the live feed, go online to victorylapclips.com. On June 20-21, the Canadian Rodeo Arena will host the Tri-State Junior High Rodeo. Spectators will have the chance to cheer those younger riders on before they head to the Texas State Junior High Finals in Gonzales. Region 1 riders will compete on Friday, June 26.

Five Canadian riders competed in the Oklahoma High School Rodeo Finals at Chickasha, last weekend, and all five advanced to the National High School Rodeo Finals.

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football revealed the cover of its eagerly-awaited 2020 summer edition on Monday—the 61st annual “Bible of Texas Football” — featuring SMU quarterback Shane Buechele. The headline says it all: “PONY UP: Shane Buechele Leads SMU’s Revolution on the Hilltop.” Buechele is the first Mustangs player to grace the cover of the magazine since Lance McIlhenny in 1983.

CHS Class of 2020 graduate Rhet Pennington signed with WTAMU recently to compete on their track and field team. In his second trip to the state track and field meet as a junior, Rhet picked up a silver in shot and a gold in discus, executing new personal bests in both events. He was expected to repeat as a state medalist as a senior, but his career was cut short when the coronavirus disrupted all UIL events. In addition to his track and field success, Rhet was a standout on the golf course, and was key to the Wildcat football team’s success. He was first team All-District on both sides of the ball—at defensive end and at center. In the final athletic awards presentation of his senior year, Rhet was named Lineman of the Year by Coach Chris Koetting. Rhet plans to major in Agriscience. He is the son of Shea and Kasi Pennington and Amy Hernandez.

The University Interscholastic League (UIL) released requirements and guidelines for its member schools to begin limited UIL summer strength and conditioning, and marching band practice, starting next Monday, June 8, as restrictions due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic begin to be lifted across the state of Texas.