High school rodeo: Ward completes comeback with rodeo title

HEBER CITY — A year ago this week, Timmi Ward was watching her friends compete for a state title that she had within her grasp before fate intervened.

A car accident robbed the Bear River sophomore of competing in last year's State Finals Rodeo and most of this year's qualifying rodeos.

"We actually got in a car ride on the way up here last year," said Ward, who won the state championship in barrel racing Saturday at the soggy, muddy Wasatch County Fair Grounds. "I had a broken femur. They brought me up to watch the championship round last year."

And watching from the stands when you're used to being in the arena is a whole different kind of pain.

"It sucked," she said.

The broken leg kept her off her horse and out of rodeo until this spring. Of the 36 qualifying rodeos, she competed in only 13. Lucky for her 16-year-old Woody loves to race barrels so much, he rarely has a bad run.

"It doesn't really matter (weather or arena)," she said. "He's just really consistent and he gives it his all every time. I pretty much just do the same thing."

Ward said she came into this week's state finals in fourth place, knowing that not only could she earn a state title with three good runs but also a place on the team that will represent Utah in the National High School Finals Rodeo next month.

"It's been so fun," she said with a grin. "We've pretty much had the best week ever. ... When I first got here, I was sitting in fourth place. I just thought, we'll see where I ended up."

Because she didn't get to compete last summer, she's enjoyed this last week of rodeo even more. And despite the possibility, she said she didn't get nervous at all.

"I got more excited than I felt pressure," she said. And as for earning a trip to nationals, "I'm way excited. I went to nationals in junior high and finished sixth in the world."

In saddle bronc riding, one of the tightest races in recent memory offered an exciting final. Two cowboys, Brady Nicholes, South Summit High, and Spencer Wright, Milford, were tied at the beginning of the week.

Nicholes earned Saturday's best score with a 72-point ride. The score helped him earn his first state title in the event, as well as a trip to nationals. He came off the horse and hit the arena fence, which sent him under the horse. It stepped on him, but except for being covered in mud head to toe, he said he was fine.

"I kind of blew a stirrup after the whistle," said the senior, who will travel to Oregon for a Pro rodeo today.