Davis finishes second in national finals, Dement eighth

July 24, 2019

by Michelle Dillon michelle@thecherokeean.com

Courtesy Photo
Reagan Davis of Alto has been stacking up rodeo accolades. Davis was the Texas State Champion in pole bending and recently placed second in the National finals. The week before the NHSRA finals, Davis was in Shawnee, Okla., for the International Youth Finals Rodeo, where she also placed in the Top 10 overall.

The National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) concluded this past Saturday, July 20. Rock Springs, Wyo., hosted top competitors from across the United States and Canada, all of whom were vying for top honors and prizes in a total of 13 events.

Local athletes who competed in the NHSFR included Reagan Davis of Alto, Kolt Dement of Rusk and Kristin Reaves of Bullard.

Reagan Davis, Texas state champion in pole bending, completed GO-1 with a time of 20.418, landing her in third place. In GO-2, Davis ended in a seventh place finish with a time of 20.246. In the final round, Davis would capture second with a time of 20.233. Results by average earned Davis a 60.897 and a second place finish overall. Kenna Coronado of Kanarraville, Utah, secured the win with an average of 60.626 and Jacqueline Nichols of Queen City, Ariz., finished out the top three with a time of 61.033.

Kolt Dement vied for the national title in bareback riding as the top competitor from Texas. With a score of 66 in GO-1, he tied for 12th place with Riggen Myers of Baggs Wyo. A score of 73 placed Dement in fifth in GO-2. In the final round, Dement earned a score of 70, placing him in tie for 11th place with Donny Proffit of Diamondville, Wyo.

Dement’s average score of 209 earned him an eighth place finish in the national competition. The top three spots went to Keenan Hayes of Hayden Colo. (232), Cooper Cooke, Victor, Idaho (226) and Cole Franks, Clarendon, Texas (220).

“Words cannot describe how proud we are,” stated Katrina Davis, Reagan’s mother. “She has accomplished so much this past year and it’s been a blessing. She won the pole bending and the All Around at THSRA; she won first in poles at the IFYR youth rodeo in Shawnee, Okla., and now to finish out like this at Nationals is amazing. Seeing all of her hard work and dedication to this sport pay off, especially after her leg injuries is truly inspirational. I can’t wait to see what college rodeo has in store for her.”

Kristin Reaves, who finished second at the Texas state finals, competed in goat tying at the national level. She completed GO-1 with a time of 12.76 and with no recorded time for GO-2.