Weatherford’s Mitchell state bull riding champ

Once again Weatherford will have a competitor at the National High School Finals Rodeo. Jack Mitchell qualified this past weekend by winning the bull riding competition at the Texas High School Rodeo Association Finals in Abilene.

Will Bushaw of Weatherford had competed at nationals the past two years in boys cutting, finishing second in 2022. He placed fifth in the state this year, with the top four finishers qualifying for nationals in Rock Springs, Wyoming July 14-20.

Mitchell topped all other bull riders with an aggregate score of 229.5. He was fourth in the opening draw with a score of 79.5, followed by another fourth-place performance in the second round with a score of 71.

In the short-go he placed second, scoring a 79, pushing his overall score to the top.

Jesus Villa of Weatherford placed sixth in bull riding. He was third after the first draw with a score of 80.5, but did not score in the second draw or the short-go.

Bushaw was unable to overcome a slow start that saw him tied for 10th after the opening round with a score of 138. He rebounded with the top score of 147.5 in the second round, but slipped to sixth in the short-go with a 143.5 for an aggregate total of 429.

Also competing from Weatherford, but not making the finals, were Addison Allen and Kate Allen, girls cutting; Clayton Praytor and Haiden Smith, calf roping; and Beldon Cox, team roping.

Kate Allen was in sixth place after the opening round of girls cutting with a score of 143, but did not score in the second round.