RODEO BRINGS THE COWFOLKS ACROSS STATE

FRUITLAND -- A high school rodeo athlete's life is different from any other's.

A different town every weekend. A never-ending season. Events that practically assure broken bones or amputated fingers.

But the teens involved have unusual senses of loyalty to their sports, their animals and their fellow competitors. Many left more traditional sports to join the Missouri High School Rodeo Association.

One who did so was Kadin Boardman, 18, a former quarterback at Jackson High School. Now a senior, he calf ropes and team ropes.

"I've broken my ribs, I broke my arm last year and I cut a finger off, so I know what the dangers are," Boardman said. "But rodeo gets in your blood. You can't do without it."

He and about 100 other MHSRA cowboys and cowgirls came together Saturday and Sunday at Flickerwood Arena to compete in 11 events. They accumulated points in one or more, hoping to qualify for the state finals.

Boardman's parents, Mark and Donna Boardman, built Flickerwood a year ago after their two sons became involved in MHSRA. Since the indoor rodeo arena's completion, several rodeo events have been held there, including a MHSRA competition last spring.

Boardman took second place in team roping Saturday along with his partner, Trey Alcorn of Sikeston. The two became partners two years ago and will attend Murray State College in Tishomingo, Okla., on full scholarships this fall.

Their friend and competitor, Brant Spurgin of Eminence, took third place in calf roping and second place in team roping Sunday. The 17-year-old said his chosen sport sets him apart from his schoolmates.

"They don't understand why I don't want to go to town every night or why I'm gone every weekend," Spurgin said. "I haven't been home for a weekend in three years.

"You have friends on the road, and it's a lot more fun than staying at home."

To Spurgin, all the travel is worthwhile. He's ranked first in the state in high school team roping and 15th in the Missouri Rodeo Cowboys Association, which is composed of professionals. Unlike other high school athletes, cowboys can compete at the professional level while still participating in high school events.

But "rodeoing," as the teens call it, isn't just for cowboys. Cowgirls enjoy the action, too.

Amber Rose, 16, attends Willard High School near Springfield. She competes in an unbelievable six events -- breakaway roping, goat tying, pole bending, team roping, barrel racing and cutting. Rose's efforts won her the 1995 All-Around Champion title in the girls' division. Her brother, Adam Rose, won on the boys' side.

Rose said she isn't afraid her love of rodeos will get her branded "unfeminine."

"People at school think it's really neat," she said. "They don't call me a tomboy, but they are scared of me."

Like most of her peers, Rose hopes to attend college on a rodeo scholarship.

The scholarship money is only one reason to join MHSRA, rodeo secretary Barb Callaway said. Callaway keeps track of standings and writes checks to winners.

"These kids make a lot of friends," she said. "They learn how to be good sports, how to win, how to lose and how to cooperate with others.

"It's a good place to learn anything."