From Deseret News archives:
High School Rodeo Finals: Richard brothers take state title
The brothers play football, baseball and rodeo year-round, and they do it without any sibling rivalry. And while it's hard for Kaden to say which is his favorite, Rhen made his favorite clear this year when he passed up the chance to play college football on scholarship at SUU, Snow or Oklahoma State so he can begin competing on the pro-rodeo circuit.
"My dad played college football and rodeoed when he got out of school, but he didn't care either way what I did," said Rhen, who just graduated from Union High. "My mom kind of wanted me to play football because she said I can rodeo my whole life."
Still, if Rhen Richard does as well on the PRCA as he's done this year in high school competitions, he's going to make a great living.
In a team roping contest that came down to hundredths of seconds, the Richard brothers earned the night's top time of 6:59 seconds. In the three state competitions, they averaged just under seven seconds, which earned them the team-roping state title.
Rhen Richard finished third in calf roping and will compete at the National High School Finals in New Mexico in both events.
"We missed a lot of rodeos," said Kaden Richard, who will be a senior next year.
Rhen Richard said he didn't think he could juggle college football with rodeo, so he chose the sport he's most passionate about.
"College football you've got to live it," he said. "You can't do both."
The Richard brothers are easy-going for such a competitive pair and they claim they never blame each other if their team roping efforts fall short.
"It makes it easier (to compete) because we're brothers," said Kaden, who is the header. "We communicate real well."
And Rhen said his younger brother usually makes it easier on him.
"If the header sets it up right, the heeler has an easy job," he said with a smile.
Another set of brothers will represent Utah as the team tries to bring home the state's third consecutive National Championship next month. Jesse Wright, Spencer Wright, and Jacob Wright, all of Milford, earned first, third and fourth places, respectively, in the saddle bronc competition.
The bull-riding was also a nail-biter coming down to just a one-point difference between Justin Anderson, Juab, and Tim Bingham, Spikers, in the season's total, with Anderson earning the state title.
Both are sophomores, as is, fourth place finishers Wace Holmes.
"It was tight," Anderson said. "I was nervous, very, very nervous. It feels pretty good to win it, especially being only a sophomore."
Wasatch High's Shelby Maxfield won state titles in both barrel racing and breakaway roping.
The 2008 all-around cowgirl is Chyanne Thacker; reserve all-around cowgirl is Krystal Brown; and the rookie of the year is Destrilee Allred.
The 2008 all-around cowboy is Conner Atkin; reserve all-around cowboy is Jesse Wright; rookie of the year is Joe Frost.
E-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com
Recent comments
Way to go boys! Were so proud of you. Your hard work and...
Ashworth family | June 16, 2008 at 10:37 a.m.
Congrats to two tremendous athletes for your achievements. All of us...
Super! | June 15, 2008 at 4:26 p.m.
Roosevelt is proud of you boys. Keep up the good work.
Great Job! | June 15, 2008 at 3:28 p.m.
- Payson, chamber seek medical firm 2:49 p.m.
- Protests against Phoenix LDS temple 2:47 p.m.
- Palin's book tour hits Fort Bragg 2:42 p.m.
- Matheson unsure about health bill 2:40 p.m.
- BYU's Lamb, Jorgensen reprimanded 2:38 p.m.
- Mapleton's sewer rate mulled 2:37 p.m.
- Stocks higher on home sales data 2:32 p.m.
- Pitta among Mackey Award finalists 2:31 p.m.
- Five arrested in explosive prank 2:24 p.m.
- Police seek men in home invasion 2:19 p.m.
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
213 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
211 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
186 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - BYU records with win
132 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
131 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
104 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
103 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
99
It's already established that Jazz coach Jerry Sloan is a big San...
I could tell BYU was ready to play Saturday afternoon even before the...
I thought the Utes played very well against SDSU on Saturday in all...
What? Now which states are broke? Red or Blue? Where on earth do you get...
Re: "I wish I lacked the morals and integrity required to be a conservative...
This isn't going to cause a pollution, environmental, noise, or traffic...
What they said is true. I heard Kyle Gunther on the 1280 'the Zone' say the...
That's the whole article? Please, tell me there is more! Tell me you aren't...
I am still amazed that people who don't like soccer, still manage to post up...
out there who want to manipulate better give some thought to this...this aint...
I love that Max Hall is called Pick 6 by Ute Fans. Do you realize Jordan...
Coach Lamb is a cry baby.... you don't hear the Ute coaches whining about...
Kids at universitys are already forced to have coverage. Look it up, the U of...

