PHOTOS: 4 Grand County competitors earn top results at National High School Finals Rodeo
Jennings Rodeo Photography/Courtesy photo
As the dust settles, the shotguns are laid down and the horses are unsaddled, four local rodeo athletes earned places at the National High School Finals Rodeo.
The competition was from July 13-19 in Rock Springs and Green River, Wyoming. Over 1,500 high schoolers from the United States, Mexico, Canada and Australia gathered in the arena to show off their riding, roping and shooting skills.
Foster Krempin, Rider Linke and Haley Miller represented Granby on the national stage, and Sage Wheatley represented Kremmling. The four athletes graduated high school in 2025, so this was their last year to shine at the high school nationals.
Highlights included Wheatley earning third place in her first performance run for barrel racing, and Krempin earning first place in his first performance runs for tie-down roping.
Wheatley told Sky-Hi News that the competition was fierce. She came in 16th place with nearly 200 other barrel racers competing against her as she represented the Colorado team.
“It was really, really cool. It wasn’t like any other rodeo. It’s so big, and there’s so many people there,” she said, adding that the nerves were high but that’s part of the excitement.
“I think the nerves is the most exciting part for me,” she reflected. “Being in the back of the arena, where you’re getting ready, like waiting to go.”
She also credits her horse, Firewaterupinflames, for getting her to place well.
“I was really proud of my horse because he ran one of the fastest times I’ve ever run on him there. He was awesome,” she said.
See full results at NHSRA.com/nhsfr.
Rider Linke, trap shooting
- Eighth: long go, overall total 96
- 11th: short go, overall total 193
Sage Wheatley, barrel racing
- Third: 17.704, Sunday p.m.
- Fifth: 17.461, Saturday a.m.
- 15th: 17.671, Saturday p.m.
- 20th: second go-round, 17.461
- 16th: average score, 52.83
Haley Miller, pole bending
- 12th: 21.557, Tuesday p.m.
- 12th: 21.678, Thursday a.m.
- 75th: second go-round, 21.678
- 49th: average score, 43.235
Foster Krempin, tie-down roping
- First: 8.89, Thursday p.m.
- 14th: 16.47, Tuesday a.m.
- Fifth: second go-round, 8.89
- 33rd: average score, 25.36
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Haley Miller of Granby competes in pole bending in the national rodeo finals. The weeklong event was held in Rock Springs, Wyoming.
JenningsRodeoPhotography.com/Courtesy photo
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Haley Miller of Granby competes in pole bending in the national rodeo finals. The weeklong event was held in Rock Springs, Wyoming.
JenningsRodeoPhotography.com/Courtesy photo
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Sage Wheatley of Kremmling whips around a barrel with her horse Firewaterupinflames on July 19, 2025. She was competing in the National High School Finals Rodeo in Rock Springs, Wyoming.
JenningsRodeoPhotography.com/Courtesy photo
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Sage Wheatley of Kremmling whips around a barrel with her horse Firewaterupinflames on July 19, 2025. She was competing in the National High School Finals Rodeo in Rock Springs, Wyoming.
JenningsRodeoPhotography.com/Courtesy photo
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Sage Wheatley of Kremmling whips around a barrel with her horse Firewaterupinflames on July 19, 2025. She was competing in the National High School Finals Rodeo in Rock Springs, Wyoming.
JenningsRodeoPhotography.com/Courtesy photo
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Foster Krempin, of Granby, placed first in tie-down roping on the evening of Thursday, July 14, in a time of 8.89 at the National High School Finals Rodeo in Wyoming.
JenningsRodeoPhotography.com/Courtesy photo
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Foster Krempin, of Granby, placed first in tie-down roping on the evening of Thursday, July 14, in a time of 8.89 at the National High School Finals Rodeo in Wyoming.
JenningsRodeoPhotography.com/Courtesy photo
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Foster Krempin, of Granby, placed first in tie-down roping on the evening of Thursday, July 14, in a time of 8.89 at the National High School Finals Rodeo in Wyoming.
JenningsRodeoPhotography.com/Courtesy photo
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Foster Krempin, of Granby, placed first in tie-down roping on the evening of Thursday, July 14, in a time of 8.89 at the National High School Finals Rodeo in Wyoming.
JenningsRodeoPhotography.com/Courtesy photo
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Rider Linke aims before taking a shot in trap shooting. he placed eighth in the long go with an overall total of 96 and 11th in the short go with a total of 193 at the National High School Finals Rodeo in Wyoming.
JenningsRodeoPhotography.com/Courtesy photo
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Rider Linke aims before taking a shot in trap shooting. he placed eighth in the long go with an overall total of 96 and 11th in the short go with a total of 193 at the National High School Finals Rodeo in Wyoming.
JenningsRodeoPhotography.com/Courtesy photo
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Haley Miller of Granby competes in pole bending in the national rodeo finals. The weeklong event was held in Rock Springs, Wyoming.
JenningsRodeoPhotography.com/Courtesy photo
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