Not just another rodeo

By ROB LARSON
Daily Press Staff Writer
After logging more than 56,000 miles in his truck in just one year from heading to rodeos throughout the country, Artesia’s Cooper Kirkpatrick was very rarely nervous when it came to steer wrestling. But competing in the National High School Finals Rodeo wasn’t just any weekend rodeo.
“There are quite a lot of people at those pro rodeos, and the crowds never really bothered me before because I’m not a really nervous guy,” Kirkpatrick said. “But at nationals, you’ve got two arenas going on at the same time. It just gives me the chills to think about it even now.” … For the rest of the story, subscribe in print and on the web.
In mid-July, Kirkpatrick competed in the National High School Finals Rodeo, held by the National High School Rodeo Association, in Rock Springs, Wyo. He competed against 146 other high school athletes in steer wrestling, ultimately receiving 12th place.