craigdailypress.com

When the Moffat County High School rodeo team traveled to Cortez for a Sept. 5 contest, new coach Janice Edwards didn't know what to expect.

The first-year coach had seen most of her team rodeo before, but there were still some questions.

After the three-day event, most of the questions were answered.

"Overall, I thought everyone did really well," Edwards said. "I wasn't sure how some of the kids would do, but they were fine."

In a rodeo that featured both Moffat County High School and Craig Middle School cowboys and cowgirls, both schools were able to compete.

"The junior high kids did really well," Edwards said. "I think everyone who entered in a event wound up placing."

Wyatt Uptain, the high school team's lone cowboy, impressed the first-year coach.

"He's just a freshmen, but he did well all weekend," Edwards said. "He was able to place in bareback riding, and he was Taylor's roping partner.

"He was really good in the roping, considering almost everyone else had an age advantage."

Uptain finished second in bareback riding Sept. 5, and third in breakaway roping Sept. 6.

For goat tying, Taylor Vernon finished seventh Sept. 5, 13th Sept. 6 and sixth Sept. 7.

Gabbi Steele had a strong showing in pole bending, with an 11th-place finish Sept. 5, an eighth-place finish Sept. 6 and a 22nd-place finish Sept. 7.

The rodeo was not all good news, however, as Garrett Buckley injured his ankle.

"I'm not sure if he broke it or just fractured it, but he will probably have to miss the rest of the fall rodeos," he said. "He might have to wait until spring."