SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (KNEP) - The National High School Rodeo Finals are set to begin July 18 in Lincoln. When action begins, several local cowboys will have a chance to end the season with national titles.

Tate Talkington (Scottsbluff), Trace Travnicek (Minatare), and Leif Meidell (Harrison) will participate in the national event.

Alliance’s Lauren Lehl will be an alternate in pole bending.

Talkington will head to Lincoln participating in three national events tie down roping, reined cow horse, and team roping.

Talkington is coming off a state title in tie down roping has national rodeo success, back in 2019 he claimed a title at the National Junior High School Rodeo Finals in goat tying.

Travnicek will join Talkington in tie down roping at nationals. Travnicek punched his ticket with a top four finish at state competition.

Meidell will take part in saddle broncs at nationals.

The 2021 National High School Rodeo Finals runs July 18 to July 24.

NHSFR Preview: Spencer DeNaeyer

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) - Spencer DeNaeyer will enter the National High School Finals Rodeo with momentum on his side. The cowboy from Mullen has strung together a great year, often hitting four amateur rodeos in a weekend. At the high school level, DeNaeyer captured the State Bareback Title just a few weeks ago. Now, the third generation cowboy is headed to Lincoln and ready to make some noise.

“I feel like I’m at the top of my game right now. I’m riding the best I probably ever have...That’s the feeling you want when you go into Nationals. It’s not everyday you get to compete at Nationals in your home state so I have to take advantage of that, I’m going to let my feet fly and see what I can do,” said a smiling DeNaeyer.

How special was it for Spencer earning the state title this year?

“It was the best feeling in the world, I’ve fought for that buckle all season so to finally get it was awesome. Winning State feels like joining a club and I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything,” said DeNaeyer.

While the winning is great, what Spencer enjoys most about the cowboy lifestyle is the camaraderie among contestants.

“I wouldn’t even consider the guys I ride against competition, they’re just buddies at the end of the day. It’s really a battle between you and the horse and whoever does the best, cheers to them. I’ve got really good people around me in high school and at the amateur rodeos and I wouldn’t give them up for the world,,” added the local cowboy.

Many of those people that Spencer refers to come from his hometown. DeNaeyer will be four hours from Mullen when he takes to the Lancaster Event Center, but the community that has encouraged him will certainly be on his mind.

“I’m really lucky to be in [a community] like this where it’s a small town too, I’m beyond grateful for what they’ve done and what they do. It only pushes me to do better at the finals knowing that I have such a supportive community behind me,” concluded DeNaeyer.

NHSFR Preview: Clancy Brown

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) - Clancy Brown accomplished quite a bit in just her first year of high school athletics. The North Platte athlete represented the Bulldogs at the State Tournament in both basketball and soccer, while also being named the Nebraska Rodeo Rookie of the Year. Brown is a third generation cowgirl who finished second at State in pole bending.

“Going into high school, I was a bit nervous competing against older people but I think it went pretty well considering my horse worked very well and ran good a majority of the time,” said Brown of her rookie season.

If Clancy was nervous, you wouldn’t know it by looking at her results. The freshman rode more like a veteran than a newcomer and now enters the NHSFR looking for a top finish.

“I’m actually pretty excited because I ran some good times during the season and knowing that I could place at Nationals is really exciting. One [important] thing at Nationals is consistency. If I can run two good times, that’s going to set me up good for The Short-Go,” added Clancy.

Brown’s opening round is tentatively scheduled for Monday morning, with her second run slated for Friday night. The opportunity to compete in Nebraska isn’t something she’s taking for granted.

“I was so excited that Nationals was close because it’s an opportunity to represent in my home state. Being from a rodeo family, it’s exciting being able to represent it and also North Platte, because not as many people rodeo here as you might think,” said Brown.

Clancy grew up roping and riding and will continue to do so as long as she is able. Toughness, grit, and life lessons learned stand to serve the youngster well as she enters next season and beyond.

“I feel like rodeo is very humbling because it’s hard to be good all the time. You make bad runs sometimes but you have to rodeo through it and know that it’s going to get better. You have to expect success, while being prepared that you won’t be at your best all the time,” concluded Brown.