Roanoke County teen heads to national rodeo finals in Nebraska

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) – A Bent Mountain teenager will compete at the National High School Rodeo Finals in Lincoln, Neb., later this month after qualifying with the Virginia High School Rodeo Association.

Kellen Hamm, a dual-enrolled homeschooled Roanoke County senior, graduated this May with a 4.2 GPA. She will compete at the national finals July 18–25 in four events: breakaway roping, team roping, barrel racing and pole bending.

Seventh state title in pole bending

Hamm recently claimed her seventh consecutive Virginia state championship in pole bending, riding her horse Tucker. Winning seven straight state titles in the same event on the same horse is considered a rare accomplishment in high school rodeo competition.

College plans

Hamm has been accepted to Murray State University in Kentucky, where she plans to enroll this fall. She will pursue a degree in elementary education and compete on Murray State’s collegiate rodeo team.

To follow Hamm’s progress at the National High School Rodeo Finals, visit the event’s official website online.