Rope 'n' Ty

For Jackson native Ty Atchison, high school rodeo has provided him a stepping stone to bigger and better things.

Atchison has earned a rodeo scholarship to the University of Tennessee-Martin, and he recently bought his pro card so he can enter the professional circuit and earn some money on the side.

This summer Atchison has been able to get his feet wet on the professional circuit, team roping with a friend from Poplar Bluff, Mo.

"It's been pretty touch and go," Atchison said of his professional debut. "We're not winning the circuit by any means, but we're getting along."

Before Atchison says farewell to high school rodeo, he still has one last event. For the fourth time, Atchison will compete at the National High School Finals Rodeo, scheduled for July 19 to July 25 in Gillette, Wyo.

"It's really exciting," Atchison said of competing in the national finals. "It's just something not a lot of people get to do, so I feel really blessed."

Atchison would like to come away with his first national title. Atchison and his team roping partner, Jeremy Hemmann of Oak Ridge, had the highest finish among local participants last year at the national finals, finishing eighth in team roping. The twosome will compete together at the NHSFR for the fourth time.

Atchison said there is no secret to their success.

"It's because we've been such good friends. We get along really well together," he said.

Atchison will also compete in the saddle bronc, which he won at the Missouri state finals.

"I think I have a pretty good chance," Atchison said.

The event includes more than just competition. The National High School Finals Rodeo is considered the largest rodeo in the world with more than 1,500 participants coming from 39 states, five Canadian provinces and Australia.

"You never really know how big it is until you get around all those people," Atchison said. "It puts a lot of pressure on you, but it's a good pressure."

Whether his final high school rodeo brings him a title or not, Atchison looks back on his high school career with few regrets.

"I kind of look at it as high school rodeo took me to the next level," he said.

Other area competitors heading off to Wyoming include:

Delta High School senior Brent Menz, who was atop the Missouri all-around standings in the year-end point totals. Menz was second in bull riding, second in saddle bronc riding, fourth in steer wrestling and third in calf roping. The top four competitors in the point standings in each event qualify for the national finals.

Advance's Beth Griffin, who qualified in barrel racing and pole bending. Griffin finished first in the point standings in pole bending.

Josh Milam, a Benton native, qualified by finishing third in bull riding.