Brothers Kolton and Kagen Rhodes just returned from competing at the National High School Finals Rodeo, which is now called the World Finals Rodeo, where contestants from the US, Canada, Australia and Mexico compete for the title of World Champion. The Finals were held in Rock Springs, Wyoming. To qualify for the World Finals contestants must place in the top four after competing in 25 rodeo competitions across the state in addition to the State Finals.
Kagen Rhodes, who just finished his sophomore year at Carbon High, competed in the Trap Shooting competition where he finished in the top 50 out of 117 contestants at the World Finals.
Kagen qualified for the World Finals by finishing the year in 4th place at the State Finals Rodeo. The Trap shooting event is one of the most competitive rodeo events and Kagen was able to beat out the rest of the field for a win in the Second go round at the State Finals Competition earning him the number four position in the state and a trip to the World Finals Rodeo.
Kagen has two more years of high school rodeo where he can compete for another spot on the Utah world finals rodeo team.
Kolton Rhodes, who just completed his senior year at Carbon High, competed in the Light Rifle event against 119 other contestants at the World Finals.
Kolton finished in 8th place after the long round and advanced to the short go where he placed 3rd in the go round, this earned him the number four spot in the World. Kolton was awarded a Championship Buckle as well as a $500 college scholarship from the National High School Rodeo Association.
Kolton had a very successful year in the Light Rifle event where he broke the State record last November and then turned around and broke it again the following weekend.
Out of 25 rodeos Kolton placed 1st at 17 of them, taking him into State Finals competition with the maximum points possible. At State Final’s Kolton placed 1st in both go-rounds and also won the Average.
He won the State Champion title with the maximum amount of points possible after having a near perfect year in the shooting competition. At state Finals Kolton won the State Champion Rifle and 4 belt buckles including the State Champion Buckle, he was also awarded more than $3,000 in Scholarships from the Utah High School Rodeo Association. Kolton also received a $1,000 scholarship from the Carbon Rodeo Club. In addition to the scholarships earned for his academics and achievements in rodeo, Kolton also received an Academic Scholarship to the University of Utah where he will be attending this fall.
Kolton and Kagen Rhodes are the sons of Kody and Kendra Rhodes and the Grandsons of Kenny and Karla Rhodes and Kenny and Cathy Gunter.
Kolton and Kagen would like to thank the members of the community as well as their sponsors, UMWA Local 1769, Tram Electric, UMWA District 22, Kim Spigarelli – Hydraulic Repairs and Pierce Oil for the generous support to help make this trip possible.
Rhodes brothers shine at national rodeo competition
Kolton Rhodes, who just completed his senior year at Carbon High, competed in the Light Rifle event against 119 other contestants at the World Finals. Kolton finished in 8th place, advancing to the short go where he placed 3rd in the go round; this earned him the number four spot in the World.