Swannack qualifies to compete at world’s largest rodeo

Tommi Sue Swannack, a senior at Sprague High School has earned a position on the Washington State National High School rodeo team.

Swannack will be traveling with fellow teammates to Gillette, Wyoming, on July 16-22 to compete at the 69th annual National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) in the goat tying and Light Rifle competitions.

Swannack is the daughter of Tom and Holly Swannack and this will be her fourth year competing at nationals.

Featuring more than 1,750 contestants from 43 states, five Canadian Provinces and Australia, the NHSFR 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 an NHSFR World Champion.

To earn this title, contestants must finish in the top 20, based on their combined times and scores, in the first two rounds to advance to Saturday evening’s final round.

World champions will then be determined based on their three-round combined times or scores.

Again, this year, the Saturday championship performance will be televised nationally as a part of the Cinch High School Rodeo Tour telecast series on RFD-TV.

Live broadcasts of each NHSFR performance will also air online at http://NHSRATV.com. Performance times are 7 p.m. on July 16, and 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. each day thereafter.

Along with great rodeo competition and the chance to meet new friends from around the world, NHSFR contestants have the opportunity to enjoy shooting sports, volleyball, contestant dances, family-oriented activities, church services sponsored by the Fellowship of Christian Cowboys, and shopping at the NHSFR tradeshow.

To follow local favorites at the NHSFR, visit NHSRA.com daily for complete results. For ticket information, visit http://www.cam-plex.com.