Craig Daily Press

Craig — The longest Moffat County High School sports season is approaching its climax.

The MCHS rodeo team heads to Lamar today to compete in the state championships beginning Wednesday in the Sand and Sage Arena.

For the Bulldog cowboys and cowgirls, it’s been a long wait.

High school rodeo begins in the fall, takes a short break for the winter and resumes in the spring.

When the dust had settled after the last regular season event June 1 in Rocky Ford, the Bulldogs found they had three team members heading to the state finals.

Junior Eric Fleming and siblings Troy and Taylor Vernon will be making the trek to Lamar’s county fairgrounds.

The top 4 finishers in each event advance to the national finals beginning July 27 in Farmington, N.M.

Troy, a junior, currently is sitting fifth in boys bull riding.

His 75.5 points are three away from the fourth — and final qualifying — position.

“I can advance,” Troy said. “It’s all about drawing a good bull. You do good or bad depending on how good you ride.”

Fleming is sitting in fourth in boys bareback with 75.5 points, one point ahead of the rider in the fifth spot.

One point doesn’t mean a comfortable lead in the rodeo postseason.

During the regular season, riders earn up to 10 points in their chosen event.

In the postseason, riders can earn up to 15 points for each of their three performances: two short rides and a long, totaling 45 possible points.

Taylor, a sophomore, will be competing in girls barrel racing where she currently is sitting in 12th with 50 points — 24.5 points out of the fourth spot.

“I know the competition,” Taylor said. “I think I can catch them, I just have to be consistent.”

John Vandelinder can be reached at 875-1793, or jvandelinder@craigdailypress.com