Payson Roundup

After more than a week’s delay, the results of the Arizona State High School Rodeo championships have been tabulated.

The state finals were held June 11 to 13 at the Payson Event Center marking the first time the Rim Country has hosted the championships.

Several cowboys and cowgirls represented Payson High School in the rodeo, including Mitchell Perna, Trevor Haught, Jessica Stone and Jessi James.

Haught finished second in the bareback riding finals, but won the overall state title by virtue of his showing during the regular season.

Haught also entered the saddle bronc riding, but did not score.

In fact, only one of the 11 cowboys entered in the event stayed aboard their bronc.

Among those bucked off was Perna, who did not receive a score.

In the breakaway roping, James finished second with 13.5 points, 1.5 behind event winner Devin Cordova of Florence.

Stone competed in the pole bending but her combined times of 24.09 on the first go-around and 27.2 on the second, were not good enough to earn her a top-10 finish.

In the team roping, Haught joined forces with Kristen Summerfield of Sonita. The two didn’t place, even though they recorded a very respectable time of 12.00 on the third go.

Haught and James are now eligible to advance to the National High School championships, which will be held July 19 through July 25 in Farmington, N.M.