Sheridan’s Bourdon brothers ride to national rodeo finals

Two Sheridan brothers are headed to Wyoming for the National High School Finals Rodeo in July. Joe Bourdon (left) will participate in the steer wrestling competition, while Evan Bourdon (right) will compete in calf roping. (Photos provided)

Two brothers from Sheridan have earned positions on the Indiana National High School rodeo team.

Evan Bourdon, a senior at Sheridan High School (SHS), and Joe Bourdon, a freshman as SHS, will travel with fellow teammates to Gillette, Wyo., to compete at the 74th annual National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) in the Steer Wrestling and Calf Roping competitions. The events take place July 17 to 23.

Featuring more than 1,650 contestants from 44 states, five Canadian Provinces, Australia, Mexico and New Zealand, the NHSFR is the world’s largest rodeo. In addition to competing for more than $150,000 in prizes and over $150,000 in added money, NHSFR contestants will also compete for more than $375,000 in college scholarships and the chance to be named an NHSFR World Champion. To earn this title, contestants must finish in the top 20 – based on their combined times/scores in the first two rounds – to advance to Saturday, July 23’s final round. World champions will then be determined based on their three-round combined times/scores.

Again, this year, the Saturday championship performance will be televised nationally as a part of the Cinch High School Rodeo Tour telecast series on RFD-TV. Live broadcasts of each NHSFR performance will air online at thecowboychannel.com. Performance times begin at 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 17 and competition continues daily at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. through July 23. Make sure to catch the action.

Along with great rodeo competition and the chance to meet new friends from around the world, NHSFR contestants can enjoy volleyball, contestant dances, family-oriented activities, church services sponsored by Golden Spur Ministries, and shopping at the NHSFR tradeshow.

To follow your local favorites at the NHSFR, visit NHSRA.com daily for complete results. For ticket information, click here.