It's hard work at nationals

GILLETTE, WYO. - Three Lake County rodeo athletes were among the best in the country competing at the High School Rodeo Nationals in Gillette Wyoming two weeks ago.

Cody Sheridan, of Arlee, and Colt Nagy, of Charlo, competed in team roping. Emily Schall, of Arlee, competed in barrel racing.

"There's no losers once you get down there," Sheridan said. "The work it takes to get down there is incredible. It's quite the honor."

Despite getting two no times at the competition, Sheridan and Nagy enjoyed their time at the event.

"It was a humbling experience," Sheridan said. "Just roping in Montana, you don't get to see what everyone out there is doing."

Nagy and Sheridan had been roping all summer long trying to get down their timing and tendencies.

"Everybody ropes a little bit differently," Sheridan said. "It probably took us two or three months to get it down."

Both were experienced ropers, so it sped up the process, Nagy said. An early-season change in strategy also helped the two ride to nationals. Nagy and Sheridan switched spots between who went for the calf's head and heels.

"The first two rodeos, I headed," Nagy said. "After that we decided to change it up and I heeled while Cody headed and we did pretty good."

In the end, after a 40-rodeo season, it was still a bit nail-biting experience during the state tournament, as the two had to keep an eye out on their standings.

"It was a little stressful," Nagy said. "I didn't know if we'd make it to nationals or not."

The two are good friends outside of rodeo and that's essential for team chemistry and performance. Competitors are going to know what their buddy is more apt to do than a stranger. They also don't want to rope with somebody that they don't like very much.

"If you're not having fun rodeoing, you're not winning," Nagy said.

Schall not only had to contend with her event of barrel racing, but also, with the weather.

"We had some nice storms come through," Schall said. "On my second run in the tournament, it pretty much flooded the arena. The mud was up to my horse's knees."

Schall placed 77th out of 149 in the national competition.

"I get very serious," Schall said. "I don't talk to people before I go on a run."

She enjoyed competing under the lights with crowds watching that were between 10,000 to 12,000 in size.

"I didn't think it was nerve-racking," Schall said. "But it was definitely exciting. It was a once in a lifetime thing."

Schall has been doing rodeo for 10 years and had been waiting to compete in this event for quite some time.

"When I won state I was pretty excited," Schall said. "I cried."

Gillette provided an interesting backdrop for nationals, and there was hardly any free time for competitors.

"We went non-stop the whole week," Sheridan said. "There was always something on the side."

During the event, the competitors set the world record for people spinning rope. There were also trade shows, dances, knowledge bowl, picnics and speakers. The Montana state team competed against other states in the event's volleyball tournament, winning one game and losing another.

"The water fights were probably the most fun we had," Nagy said.

Sheridan stayed in a hotel and said he did enjoy getting a break from the busy environment after the day had ended. Competitors came from 41 different states, Canada and Australia. Most mingled in a camp near the rodeo grounds.

"There was some people from Louisiana having a big Cajun fry," Nagy said.

Nagy and Sheridan enjoyed meeting new people and seeing all the things that were going on during the week-long event.

As Sheridan said, there were no losers at nationals, the experience alone was worth the trip.

"It was nice to see other people from other places that love the same sport," he said.