Carbon Rodeo Team State Finals/Scholarship Honors

Press release

Members of the Carbon High School rodeo team recently competed in the Utah High School Finals Rodeo, where the team had a strong performance both in the arena and academically.

The rodeo stopped midweek to recognize graduating seniors across the state and the UHSRA awarded scholarships to seniors who plan to continue their education beyond high school. Carbon High Seniors Kashley Rhodes, Shalako Gunter and Kayson Peterson walked away with several scholarships. Kashley Rhodes received a $3,500 scholarship from the UHSRA, as well as the prestigious $2,500 Dalton Van Memorial Scholarship, which was established in 2021 by the Lucky You Cowboy Crisis Fund in honor of the late Dalton Van.

Rhodes was only the fourth recipient of this scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to the outstanding senior who has demonstrated excellence in both the Light Rifle and Trap Shooting disciplines. Shalako Gunter received a $500 UHSRA academic scholarship as well as a $3,200 scholarship from the UHSRA and Kayson Peterson received an $800 scholarship from the UHSRA.

When the dust settled in the arena, several members of the Carbon Rodeo Team took top honors in their respective events. 15 members of the team qualified for the UHSRA state finals: Lacey Anderson Barrel Racing, Ivy Blanton Breakaway Roping, Logan Curtis Team Roping, Kaden Donathan Steer Wrestling and Team Roping, Madisen Donathan Goat Tying and Barrel Racing, Brendan Dowd Team Roping, Ean Ellis Tie Down Roping and Team Roping, Shalako Gunter Trap Shooting and Light Rifle, Kanyon Mills Tie Down Roping and Team Roping, Maddison Nielson Breakaway Roping, Barrel Racing, Pole Bending and Team Roping, Braden Noyes Tie Down Roping and Team Roping, Kayson Peterson Team Roping, Izybella Prettyman Pole Bending, Kashley Rhodes Light Rifle and Hayden Tonc Light Rifle.

Members who placed in the top 20 in the first round were Shalako Gunter, tied for second in trap shooting, Hayden Tonc, third, Kashley Rhodes fifth. Shalako Gunter earned 16^e light rifle, Kaden Donathan, fifth in Steer Wrestling, Ivy Blanton took 15^e and Maddison Nielson earned 16^e Broken cordage. Ean Ellis came third in rope tying, while Izybella Prettyman was 19^e bend pole.

The top 20 in the second round included Shalako Gunter, tie trap shooting in first place, Hayden Tonc, fifth, Kashley Rhodes eighth and Shalako Gunter again, making 15^e light rifle, while Lacey Anderson took 18^e in barrel racing. In team roping, Logan Curtis and his partner finished fourth, partners Kayson Peterson and Brenden Dowd placed seventh, Kanyon Mills and partner ninth, and Ean Ellis and partner placed 11th^e. Ean Ellis also tied for fourth and Braden Noyes, 19^e in rope tying Izybella Prettyman turned 13^e when bending poles.

In the Short Go, Shalako Gunter, tie trap shooting, placed first, Kashley Rhodes, fourth, and Hayden Tonc, ninth. Shalako Gunter, 14^e light rifle, Ean Ellis, ninth in tie-down roping and Kanyon Mills was sixth in team roping.

In the top 20 for the week’s average was Shalako Gunter, who again took first place in kick shooting and 14^e in Light Rifle, Hayden Tonc took fourth place and Kashley Rhodes, fifth place, in Light Rifle. Ean Ellis was second in Tie Down Roping, while Kanyon Mills was seventh and Logan Curtis 11th^e, at Team Roping. Ivy Blanton was 16^e Broken cordage.

The Carbon rodeo team had three members who finished in the top 4 overall. They were Shalako Gunter, champion in Trap Shooting, Ean Ellis was the reserve champion Tie Down Roper and Kashley Rhodes finished third in Light Rifle. These three will represent the state of Utah at the National High School Finals Rodeo in Rock Springs, Wyoming, July 14-20.