Sports

Last week’s Thursday night scramble ended with an 8-underpar. The winning team was Brandon Stroebel, Robert Cantu, Harry Sims, Doug Crouch, Lee Smith, and Nikki Smith. Daniel Avila and Ryan Lynch were winners of the longest drive awards, while Derek Cooper and Gary Prater drove their balls closest-to-the-pin on No. 11 and 17, respectively.

Three Canadian rodeo-ers had strong performances in the 2021 International Finals Youth Rodeo at held in Shawnee, Oklahoma, on July 11-16. Jordan Lovins and Brodee Snow, of Bentonville, Arkansas, won first-place overall in team roping.

AUSTIN—Hunters looking for a new opportunity or a change of scenery this fall are encouraged to check out the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) drawn-hunt permit program. Applications are being accepted now for a shot at almost 10,000 permits in 61 hunt categories.

Last week’s Thursday night scramble ended in another carryover with 8-under-par. Winners of the men’s and women’s long drives were Harry Sims and Brittney Davis. Neal Crawford and Dale Schafer won honors for closest-tothe-pin on holes No. 2 and No. 8, respectively.

The 133rd Annual Fourth of July Rodeo did not disappoint. The Canadian rodeo grounds was one of the biggest attractions during the Fourth of July weekend from July 1-3.

AUSTIN—The University Interscholastic League announced the six winners of the 2020-21 Lone Star Cup last week. Conroe-The Woodlands swept both girls and boys swimming and diving state championships on the way to its eighth overall UIL Lone Star Cup.

Contingent of local rodeoers heads to National High School Finals this weekend Canadian rodeo fans will have plenty of reasons to keep an eye on next week’s 73rd Annual National High School Finals Rodeo in Lincoln, Nebraska. Five local favorites—Dessa and Chaley Hext, Jordan and Nicholas Lovins, and Camree Slavin—will be among an estimated 1,650 finalists competing in the arena at the Lancaster Event Center from July 18-24.

There’s just nothing quite like a rain-soaked arena and an eager throng of junior-sized mutton busters to get the rodeo crowd cheering, and Friday night’s show was certainly no exception. There was no shortage of volunteers ready to test their skills, despite the somewhat questionable mix of mud and...well, green slime...that promised to soften the inevitable fall. Most of the contestants even seemed to enjoy the experience, though several boots were buried beneath the surface—some unlikely to be found again—in their long, victorious slog back to the safety of the exit gate and waiting parents. We’re guessing many of them bathed that evening under a water hydrant at the rodeo grounds before loading up to head home... but we’re only guessing. PHOTOS BY LAURIE EZZELL BROWN

Four-time Oklahoma State All-Around Champ Chaley Hext sets her sights on going pro

In June 1993, The Record published a special edition celebrating the 125th anniversary of Canadian’s historic Fourth of July Rodeo. Then ten-year-old Chaley Hext was featured in a story, titled, “A Future Face of Canadian Cowgirls.”

Famous rodeo professionals Brandon Dunn and Ken Stonecipher are making their way to Canadian for the 4th of July Rodeo. Dunn is an experienced entertainer and barrelman, whereas Stonecipher is a multifaceted, talented announcer. Both are respected in their fields and greatly loved by audiences.

The announcing, jokes, and skits make the show fun to watch, but barrelmen and announcers play a bigger role in rodeos than some might realize.