The Shelby Showplace Arena in Germantown, was the site of the Tennessee High School Rodeo Finals June 12-14. DeKalb County was well represented by Brandon Barnes, Cody Hattaway, La-Kota Luna, Victor Roller, and Shara Adcock.
Victor Roller, a senior bull rider, barely missed qualifying for the National Finals in his rookie year of competition. He did place second in the third round with a score of 70 points.
Brandon Barnes had a tough senior year as he was out of competition with a broken leg from an injury in the practice pen. Only the top four competitors in each event are awarded births to the National finals. Barnes, who was last years’ state bull riding champion, was unable to make the top four this year.
La-Kota Luna, a rookie bull rider in THSRA this year, finished second in the state after winning the first round and placing second in the second round. He will be making his first appearance at the National High School Rodeo Finals in Rock Springs, Wyoming July 13-20.
Cody Hattaway was crowned state champion steer wrestler for the 2013-14 season.  He received a trophy saddle and buckle for his accomplishment. Cody was also reserve all-around cowboy, awarded to the cowboy with the most points earned in two or more events. Cody also competed in team roping and tie-down calf roping events. This will be his second trip to the national finals, as he was reserve champion steer wrestler two years ago and finished in the top 20 at nationals. Hattaway also received the "Best Boot Forward" award. This is presented by Ariat Boot Company, a national sponsor of High School Rodeo, and is presented to a senior contestant displaying good sportsmanship in and out of the arena.
Shara Adcock will be representing DeKalb County and the state of Tennessee in two events at the NHSFR.  She finished third in goat tying and fourth in the breakaway roping event. She will be making her second trip to Nationals as she competed last year in only breakaway roping.  Adcock was also crowned reserve all-around cowgirl for Tennessee and her horse" Jackie" was awarded the American Quarter Horse of the Year award which included a trophy halter as well as a $250 scholarship for Adcock. In addition to the rodeo competition, Shara was elected to state office for the third time. She will be serving as state secretary for the 2014-15 season, having completed one term as state president and one as state treasurer.
The National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) features more than 1,500 contestants from 42 states, five Canadian Provinces and Australia and is the world’s largest rodeo. In addition to competing for more than $200,000 in prizes, NHSFR contestants will also be competing for more than $350,000 in college scholarships and the chance to be named a NHSFR National Champion.
The Saturday Championship performance will be televised nationally as part of the Cinch High School Rodeo Tour telecast series on RFD-TV.  Live broadcasts of each NHSFR performance will also air inline at NHSRATV.com. Performance times are 7 pm on July 13 and 9 am and 7 pm each day thereafter. To follow your local favorites at the NHSFR, visit NHSRA.org daily for complete results.