Nebraska
Nebraska High School Rodeo Champions Crowned
NEBRASKA YOUTH QUALIFY FOR NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL RODEO COMPETITION
Champions topped in every occasion
HASTINGS, NEB. (June 12, 2022) – The Nebraska Excessive Faculty Rodeo season wrapped up at the moment with the highschool finals in Hastings on the Adams County Fairgrounds. Rodeo athletes from throughout the Cornhusker State competed in two go-rounds on June 10-11 and the brief go-round on June 12. The highest 4 contestants in every of fifteen occasions had been decided, and they’re going to go on to compete on the Nationwide Excessive Faculty Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) in Gillette, Wyoming July 17-23, 2022.
The 2021-2022 champions are Spencer Denaeyer, Mullen (bareback driving); Makayla Wray, Ord (pole bending and breakaway roping); Coy Johnston, Stapleton (steer wrestling); Monte Bailey, Seneca (saddle bronc driving); Sid Miller, Merna (tie-down roping); Libby Hegeman, Arlington (goat tying); Brent Charlton, North Platte and Jate Saults, Large Springs (workforce roping, header and heeler); Anna Clark, Thedford (barrel racing); Cooper Kursave, Arcadia (bull driving); Tatum Olson, Bloomfield (reined cow horse); Bo Bushhousen, St. Libory (boys slicing); Whitney Jennings, Seneca (ladies slicing); Cale Buss, Atkinson (gentle rifle) and Tanner Ellis, Minden (entice capturing ).
Boys rookie of the yr went to Koltdyn Heath, Minden, and ladies rookie of the yr is Reagan McIntyre, Grand Island. McIntyre additionally gained the ladies’ all-around title; for the second yr, Cooper Bass, Brewster, is the year-end boys all-around champion.
Kylie Lancaster, Hastings, was topped because the 2022-2023 Miss Nebraska Excessive Faculty Rodeo queen.
The next are synopses of among the champions.
Pole Bending and Breakaway champion: Makayla Wray, Ord
Makayla Wray got here into her junior yr of state finals in second and third place in her three occasions, and left a state champion in two of them.
The seventeen-year-old cowgirl, a soon-to-be senior at Ord Excessive Faculty this fall, known as her three days at state finals, “wonderful.” She was cheering for her good friend Gracey Taylor within the poles, however when Gracey knocked over a pole to get a five-second penalty within the brief spherical, it opened the door for Wray.
“My coronary heart broke for her, however I assumed, ‘there’s an opportunity (for Wray to win the year-end title.) Then I went and knocked down a pole.” However there was no time for reflection; she needed to compete within the breakaway roping subsequent. “It’s a must to have a brief reminiscence in rodeo,” she stated.
The daughter of Mark and Denise Wray, Makayla can be vice-president of her college’s FFA chapter this fall, is a member of the Nationwide Honor Society, was simply elected pupil president of the Nebraska State Excessive Faculty Rodeo Affiliation, and performs basketball. She has a 4.0 GPA.
She has additionally certified for the NHSFR within the workforce roping; that is her first journey to Nationals.
Bareback driving champion – Spencer Denaeyer, Seneca
For the second yr in a row, Spencer Denaeyer took residence the state saddle bronc driving title.
The eighteen-year-old, a 2022 graduate of Mullen Excessive Faculty, didn’t do nicely on the 2021 NHSFR.
“Final yr, I went in hot-headed, pondering I used to be the state champ, I used to be going to (Nationals), and issues had been going to be all proper.” He didn’t make the brief go on the Nationals; his objectives are greater this yr. “I must have my hammer cocked, and be able to go. My objective is to win it.”
He’ll attend Odessa (Texas) School this fall on a rodeo scholarship and compete collegiately, majoring in ag expertise.
He’s the son of Mark and Bree Bailey.
Steer wrestling champion – Coy Johnston, Stapleton
Coy Johnston comes from a protracted line of steer wrestlers, and now he’s gained his first state title.
The Stapleton cowboy completed final yr’s season in second place, behind his good good friend and fellow steer wrestler Dane Pokorny; the 2 cowboys switched spots this yr, with Pokorny ending as reserve champion.
For Sunday’s brief spherical, he gave it his all. “I needed to make a very good run at the moment,” he stated. “I simply went on the market, not safetying up or something, and beat Dane by a half-point.” There’s no animosity between the 2; “we’re actually good associates,” Johnston stated.
Johnston’s dad Jason was a steer wrestler, as had been his uncles, Jeff, Chad and Joel. “In the event you’re a Johnston,” he joked, “you’re going to be a steer wrestler.”
This fall, Johnston can be a senior at Stapleton Excessive Faculty. He performs soccer and basketball and is an FFA member.
He’s the son of Jason and Jennifer Johnston.
Saddle bronc driving champion: Monte Bailey, Hyannis
Hyannis cowboy Monte Bailey gained the saddle bronc driving title.
The 2022 Hyannis Excessive Faculty graduate was the one cowboy who made three certified rides.
He’s coming off a knee harm from the soccer season, the place he tore the meniscus and almost pulled the ligaments off the bone.
“I harm my knee some time again, so it was just a little iffy on my first horse,” he stated. “However I simply let all of it fly and left it on the market, and it was fairly enjoyable.” His third trip, within the brief spherical, “wasn’t the prettiest one, however I acquired by it.”
He’ll compete for Montana State College in Bozeman this fall on a rodeo scholarship whereas he attends Gallatin School, majoring in carpentry.
He’s the son of Ben and Shelly Bailey.
Crew roping champions – Brent Charlton, North Platte (header) and Jate Saults, Large Springs (heeler)
Brent Charlton and Jate Saults teamed up for his or her first state title within the workforce roping.
The duo has roped collectively the previous three years; Charlton simply completed his junior yr at Stapleton Excessive Faculty; Saults is a 2022 graduate of South Platte Excessive Faculty.
Each cowboys additionally competed within the tie-down roping, and Saults within the gentle rifle capturing.
This fall, Saults will attend Western Oklahoma State College in Altus on a rodeo scholarship, majoring in ag enterprise. He’s the son of Scott and Jill Saults. He has additionally certified for Nationals within the gentle rifle.
Charlton, at Stapleton Excessive Faculty, performs basketball and is on the dignity roll. He’s the son of Philip and Sonya Charlton.
Barrel racing champion – Anna Clark, Thedford
Anna Clark is only a freshman, however she completed her first yr of highschool rodeo with a bang.
The fifteen-year-old cowgirl from Thedford gained the barrel racing state title.
Within the first spherical, she hit a barrel, including a five-second penalty to her time. “I got here into the sector, and we had been going fairly quick, and I bear in mind pondering, oh, no, we’re going to blow by this barrel. So I checked (her mare) up and I shouldn’t have.” They knocked over the primary barrel.
However she redeemed herself, profitable the second and third rounds “and at the moment we turned state champions,” she stated, beaming.
“I needed this all season, and I’ve labored for it quite a bit,” she stated. “It feels good. It feels actually good.”
She is the daughter of Adam and Alicia Clark.
For full outcomes, go to http://www.hsrodeo-nebraska.
###
Nebraska Excessive Faculty Qualifiers for the 2022 Nationwide Excessive Faculty Finals Rodeo in Gillette, Wyoming July 17-23.
Bareback driving
Champion: Spencer Denayer, Seneca
2. Tate Miller, Springview
3. Koltdyn Heath, Minden
4. Tanner Drueke, Sutherland
Alternate: Cinch Kiger, Overton
Barrel racing
Champion: Anna Clark, Thedford
2. Hailey Witte, Crookston
3. Taci Flinn, Arcadia
4. Camryn Kocian, Brainard
Alternate: Mekenna Fisher, Hershey
Boys slicing:
Champion: Bo Bushhousen, St. Libory
2. Cooper Bass, Brewster
3. Trey Vance, Inavale
4. Devin Konicek, Burwell
Alternate: Dakota Storer, Arthur
Breakaway roping
Champion: Makayla Wray, Ord
2. Reagan McIntyre, Grand Island
3. Whitney Jennings, Seneca
4. Shayda Vaughn, Hershey
Alternate: Kieley Walz, Ainsworth
Bull driving:
Champion:. Cooper Kursave, Arcadia
2. Hunter Boydston, Grover, Colo.
3. Jason Ducker-Kursave, Arcadia
4. Tanner Drueke, Sutherland
Alternate: Brady Painter, Ainsworth
Women slicing:
Champion: Whitney Jennings, Seneca
2. Mekenna Fisher, Hershey
3. Brooke Forre, Newman Grove
4. Emma Pearson, Damaged Bow
Alternate: Peyton Fisher, Hershey
Goat tying:
Champion:. Libby Hegeman, Arlington
2. Reagan McIntyre, Grand Island
3. Ashlyn Henderson, Hyannis
4. Emma Warren, Thedford
Alternate: Laney Hoier, Herman
Pole bending
Champion: Makayla Wray, Ord
2. Gracey Taylor, Valentine
3. Reagan McIntyre, Grand Island
4. Raina Swanson, Genoa
Alternate: Emma Pearson, Damaged Bow
Reined cow horse
Champion: Tatum Olson, Bloomfield
2. Charlie Bortner, McCook
3. Tucker Gillespie, McCook
4. Tate Talkington, Scottsbluff
Alternate: Jayda Meyring, Alliance
Saddle bronc driving
Champion: Monte Bailey, Lakeside
2. Leif Meidell, Harrison
3. Augustus Painter, Ainsworth
4. Carson Jones, Neligh
Alternate: Everett Blackburn, Bartlett
Steer wrestling
Champion: Coy Johnston, Stapleton
2. Dane Pokorny, Stapleton
3. Wyatt Reichenberg, Harrisburg
4. Taydon Gorsuch, Gering
Alternate: Beau Wiebelhaus, Springview
Crew roping
Champions: Brent Charlton, North Platte, and Jate Saults, Large Springs
2. Cooper Bass, Brewster and Zack Bradley, Brewster
3. Makayla Wray, Ord and Brady Renner, Ericson
4. Carter Anderson, Merriman and Sage Schrunk, Valentine
Tie-down roping
Champion: Sid Miller, Merna
2. Jate Saults, Large Springs
3. Cooper Phillips, Burwell
4. Carter Anderson, Merriman
Alternate: Seth Glass, Central Metropolis
All outcomes unofficial.
In this episode of the Corn Nation’s Monday Night Therapy podcast, host Minnie Hunt interviews Bob Davis, a former strength and conditioning coach with Nebraska during the 1980s under Boyd Epley, the legendary pioneer of Husker Power.
Davis shares insights into the foundational role Nebraska’s strength and nutrition programs played in the Cornhuskers’ dominance, emphasizing how walk-ons and farm kids pushed blue-chip recruits by outworking them. He discusses innovations like performance testing, customized nutrition cards, and year-round training, including offseason programs that prepared players physically and mentally.
Davis also reflects on the evolution of training—comparing old-school techniques to today’s tech-enhanced systems—and emphasizes fundamentals, balance, proper mechanics, and injury prevention. He highlights the importance of developing athletes’ understanding of movement, hydration, and nutrition. Creatine use, the relevance of bench press, and high-tech versus practical basics are all explored.
Davis underscores that most injuries result from fatigue and poor mechanics, not contact. He calls for transparency in athletic performance reporting to inspire fans and hold players accountable.
Now running “Strength of America” and “Body by Bob’s,” he continues to educate athletes of all ages on how to train smart, eat right, and stay healthy for life.
The episode closes with calls for community engagement and the hope of returning Nebraska to its physical dominance.
Sometimes a player needs a fresh start.
Nebraska freshman Ian Flynt had a vision of how his Cornhuskers career would go a year ago, but he wanted a new beginning after being a legacy recruit.
Flynt’s father, Darren Flynt, competed on the Nebraska track team, as did his mother, Dagmar Pesakova, doing the shot put and discus. Pesakova was good enough to through for Czechoslovakia on the International stage. They finished up at Azusa Pacific. His older sister Amelia Flynt started her track and field career at California, and transferred to Nebraska in 2023.
Nebraska
Nebraska dad fatally stabs wife, 2 kids and himself in apparent murder-suicide hours before son’s high school graduation
A Nebraska father stabbed his entire family to death and then turned the knife on himself the same day as his oldest son’s high school graduation, authorities said – and just three days after he was released from a mental health hospital.
Jeremy Koch, 42, killed his 41-year-old wife, Bailey, and sons Hudson, 18, and Asher, 16, in a sickening stabbing spree Saturday before taking his own life in a rural part of Dawson County, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.
The gruesome scene of the apparent murder-suicide was discovered by Bailey’s parents around 9:45 a.m. All four family members suffered from fatal knife wounds, police said.
“I found our two grandsons, Hudson 18, and Asher 16, and our daughter Bailey, and our son-in-law Jeremy, dead laying in their beds,” Lane and Peggy Kugler, the father and mother of Bailey and grandparents of the two boys, said in a Facebook post, according to News Channel Nebraska.
“What I saw will haunt me the rest of my life.”
The tragedy comes amid Jeremy’s longtime struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts, which was chronicled by Bailey, a teacher, on a dedicated Facebook page.
She wrote on the “Anchoring Hope for Mental Health” page Wednesday that Jeremy had wrapped up a five-day stint receiving mental health care at a hospital with a photo of the couple smiling in a car.
“What a difference five days, some hydration and nutrition, med adjustments, therapies, and a safety plan can make!!!” Bailey Koch eerily wrote.
“Thank you for praying and for your unwavering support as I take Hottie Hubby HOME in time for our son’s high school graduation! We still need lots of prayers as we try and carry on with life and find our new ‘normal.’”
Still, in the days leading up to the suspected murder-suicide, the father of two continued to struggle, according to his wife’s recent social media posts.
Hudson was set to receive his diploma at Cozad High School’s graduation — which went on without the teen Saturday afternoon, just hours after the horrific slaughter.
“Cozad Schools was made aware of a tragic situation that will deeply affect our Cozad community,” the school district wrote. “Our thoughts are with all those impacted during this incredibly difficult time.”
Bailey Koch was remembered as a “passionate educator, caring colleague and bright presence in the school community,” by Holdrege Public Schools, where she worked, according to NTV.
Jeremy and Bailey were high school sweethearts and together for at least 25 years, according to the Facebook page.
In a since-deleted GoFundMe page, Bailey said her husband this month had survived numerous suicide attempts that included a car crash that nearly killed him.
“When he awoke,” she wrote, according to News Channel Nebraska, “he was destroyed his attempt hadn’t worked.”
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
‘Exploding’ birds are dropping dead in this California neighborhood, baffling residents: ‘Very traumatic’
Colorado teen designs spacesuit prototypes after joining NASA’s simulated Mars mission
Have a Look Inside the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame
Delaware’s beaches are superb. But here are 21 things our beaches need to be more fun
Four-Star LB has Gators Among Top Six
-
Cleveland, OH1 week agoWho is Gregory Moore? Former divorce attorney charged for murder of Aliza Sherman in downtown Cleveland
-
News1 week agoFamily statement: Rodney Hinton Jr. walked out of body camera footage meeting with CPD prior to officer death
-
Politics1 week agoTrump posts AI image of himself as Pope amid Vatican's search for new pontiff
-
Austin, TX3 days agoBest Austin Salads – 15 Food Places For Good Greens!
-
Education1 week agoIn Alabama Commencement Speech, Trump Mixes In the Political
-
Technology7 days agoBe careful what you read about an Elden Ring movie
-
Culture1 week agoPulitzer Prizes 2025: A Guide to the Winning Books and Finalists
-
News1 week agoFather Whose Son Was Shot by Cincinnati Police Hits Deputy With Car, Killing Him