The State rodeo jitters won’t be arriving any time today for Emporia’s Lindsey Hollond at the KHSRA Championships starting in Topeka.
That’s because those already got to her earlier this week.
“That’s set in for awhile,” Hollond said with a laugh. “I know I’ll be pretty nervous, but if I stay focused, I’ll be OK.”
Hollond is just one of 12 area athletes hoping to notch top-four finishes individually to lock up a spot at the National Rodeo Championships in Springfield, Ill.
For Hollond, that could come in three different events.
The senior, who will compete in her final KHSRA Championships, enters first in the State in pole bending, fourth in goat tying and fifth in barrel racing.
Last year, she made Nationals in both pole bending and goat tying and just missed out in barrel racing, finishing fifth after entering State with the fourth-best point total.
Hollond also will look to defend her All-Around State Championship from last year, entering with the third-best mark in the State this season.
“I just want to stay consistent in all my events,” Hollond said.
Allen’s Josie Wamser also hopes to put out her best showing to make Nationals, entering the barrel racing event with the fourth-best mark.
“I’m kind of on the scared side of what’s going to happen,” Wamser said. “I’m not nervous yet, but I’m sure when I come up to run, my nerves will start kicking.”
Other area athletes competing include: Cheyenne Veatch (barrels, goat tying, pole bending), Kellie Farr (barrels, pole bending), Caesie Reynolds (barrels, pole bending) and Taylor Hollond (barrels, goat tying) from Emporia; Jake Miller (team roping) and August Stueve (team roping) from Olpe; Jacob Miller (team roping) and Jessica Miller (barrels, pole bending, breakaway roping, team roping) from Madison; Samantha Wilkerson (barrels, pole bending) from Hartford; and Jamie Ecton (team roping) from Gridley.
Hollond said she would cheer on all those she had competed with.
“We’re like that for everyone, not just the local kids,” Hollond said. “Rodeo’s a different kind of sport. We all want each other to do good.”