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Burks, Kielley advance to National High School Finals Rodeo
Burks
Lancaster’s Lainee Burks competes in the barrel racing competition at the Wisconsin High School State Finals Rodeo in Richland Center June 8–11, where she finished first in the event and will move on to the National High School Finals Rodeo in Gillette, WY, July 16-22. Burks will also be competing in goat tying, which she also finished first in this season.
Kielley
River Ridge’s Brody Kielley competes in the steer wrestling competition at Richland Center, where he finished third this season to qualify for the NHSFR.

RICHLAND CENTER — Four area cowboys and cowgirls recently punched their ticket to compete at the 2023 National High School Finals Rodeo in Gillette, WY, on July 16-22.

These area cowboys and cowgirls did so with outstanding performances throughout the 2022-23 rodeo season, including the Wisconsin High School State Finals Rodeo held in Richland Center on June 8-11.

The State Finals Rodeo is the last of 10 competitions throughout the regular season for state participants and carries more weight than any of the nine regional meets held earlier in the season.

To qualify for the National High School Finals Rodeo, competitors must be among the top four finishers in their event at the conclusion of the state finals rodeo.

Moving on to the National Finals are Lainee Burks of Lancaster, Brody Kielley of River Ridge and Jesse Vesperman and Wyatt Heer of Platteville.

 Burks will be competing in barrel racing and goat tying, having finished first in both events this season with 228 points in barrels and 226 points in goat tying. It is the third year that Burks has won state titles in barrels.

Burks, who only competes in three of the eight girls’ events throughout the season, was also in the running for All-Around Cowgirl, finishing fourth with 558 total points, just 39.5 points behind All-Around Cowgirl Josie Laue of Ithaca.

At the state rodeo, Burks finished first in the goat tying competition with a total time of :24.17 in three go-rounds, and was second in barrel racing with a time of :43.158.

Brody Kielley of River Ridge will compete in steer wrestling, where he finished third on the season with 179 total points. At the state finals, Kielley had a time of :14.280 on one go-round to earn seven points.

Jesse Vesperman of Platteville will be busy at the National Finals, having qualified in steer wrestling, tie-down roping, trap shooting and small bore rifle.

In steer wrestling, Vesperman placed first at the state finals with a combined time of :36.430 in three go-rounds. On the season he also finished first with 237 total points.

In tie-down roping, Vesperman finished fourth at the state finals with a combined time of :52.120 in three go-rounds, and finished third on the season with 191 total points.

In trap shooting, he finished second at the state finals, hitting 72 of 75 possible targets, earning him a second-place finish in the season standings with 144 total points.

And, in small bore rifle, Vesperman finished third at the state finals with a score of 284, which put him third in the season standings with a total of 60 points.

With all of his success during the season, Vesperman also earned Reserve All-Around Cowboy honors with 459 total points.

Fellow Platteville senior Wyatt Heer will also be busy at the National Finals Rodeo, having qualified in boys’ cutting, team roping and tie-down roping.

In tie-down roping, Heer finished third at the state finals with a combined time of :51.415 in three go-rounds. On the season he finished second with 202.50 points.

In team roping, Heer and Trent Parr of Mondovi placed sixth with a combined time of :20.210 in two go-rounds to earn five points. On the season, the two finished fourth with 167 total points.

In boys’ cutting, Heer finished second at the state finals, and on the season finished second with 33.5 points.

Lancaster’s Grace Bennett also competed in the queen competition at the State Finals Rodeo, where she finished runner up.

This year marks the 75th Annual National High School Finals Rodeo, which will kick off July 16 and conclude July 22.

Featuring more than 1,700 contestants from 44 states, five Canadian Provinces, Australia, Mexico and New Zealand, the NHSFR is the world’s largest rodeo. 

Performances will air online at www.thecowboychannel.com. beginning at 7 p.m. on July 16 and continuing daily at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. through July 22. 

Saturday’s championship performances will be televised nationally as a part of the Cinch High School Rodeo Tour telecast series on RFD-TV. LIVE broadcasts of each NHSFR.

Richland Center girls snap 45-game losing streak
Burns makes three free throws with 3.2 seconds left to lift Hornets to 1-point win over Viroqua
Kylie Burns
Richland Center sophomore Kylie Burns made three free throws with 3.2 seconds left to lift the Hornets to a 55–54 non-conference victory over Viroqua Tuesday night. The win snapped Richland Center's 45-game losing streak. - photo by Erik Olson

RICHLAND CENTER — Sophomore Kylie Burns converted three straight free throws with 3.2 seconds left in overtime to give the Richland Center Hornets a 55-54 non-conference win here Tuesday night. 

The win was the Hornets’ first of the season and ended a 45-game losing streak dating back to the end of the 2022–23 campaign.

“They never gave up,” said coach Jeremy Kooi of his team which fought back from an early 12-point deficit 

The Hornets rallied to pull within 27–21 at the half and finally tied the game midway through the second half. The lead changed hands several times down the stretch before Regan Schoepp scored from close range to put the Hornets ahead 47–45. Viroqua freshman Allyah Schwenn quickly penetrated and scored to tie the game, 47–47, and force overtime.

In the extra period, Burns accounted for all eight of the Hornets’ points with a three-pointer and five of five from the free throw line. 

Ella Weiss led the Hornets in scoring with 22 points while Burns finished with 16. Jaycee Gander netted six, Carley Mieden five, Schoepp four and Jasmine Hazlerig two.

Schwenn topped all scorers with 24 points for Viroqua. Emily Hubatch scored 14 and Emma Moilien had 10. 

The Hornets were 19 of 30 from the free throw line while Viroqua converted 15 of 29 but only three of six in overtime.