PO‘IPU — Randy Brun had a blazing 19.39 first go in the High School Calf Roping event entering his second go.
Rocketing out of the pocket, Brun’s calf proved uncooperative as his first loop came up empty, Brun’s arms instinctively reaching for his second loop that snagged a rear leg, the calf wriggling wildly.
Off his horse, corralling the flailing animal, Brun finished the go at 34.73, the arena announcer explaining that the effort of ‘catch as catch can’ is a rodeo competitors way of life — trying to rectify a bad situation.
Brun, whose first go soared past Kaleo Kaui, settled into second place for that event, Kaui nailing the top slot with an average of 53.67 over Brun’s 54.12.
Brun was the only high school roper to finish in the High School Po‘o Wai U event earlier in the day.
Sumiko Falque topped the high school winner’s list with three top events, Falque taking top honors in the High School Barrel Racing, the High School Pole Bending, and High School Goat Tying.
Brittney Brun was the big winner in the Keiki portion, Brun finishing with three top honors followed closely by Kelii Carveiro who netted a pair of top honors.
Brun took tops in the Keiki Barrel Racing (12-14 Division), Keiki Pole Bending (12-14 Division), and the Keiki Breakaway Roping (12-14 Division) before teaming with Chaz Rita and Kaleo Kaui for second and third finishes respectively in the Keiki Dally Team Roping. Brun also teamed with Kristyn Vasconcelles for a third finish in the Keiki Calf Mugging event.
Carveiro topped the Keiki Barrel Racing (9-11 Division), and the Keiki Pole Bending (9-11 Division) events.
Spectators were treated to performances by several off-island competitors including the Hawai‘i High School Rodeo queen Lisa Rincon and her brother Joey of the Big Island who ended the day toping the High School Breakaway Roping event before teaming up with her brother to net top honors in the High School Double Mugging event.
Judd Napier was an O‘ahu competitor who was the sole bull rider of the day, finishing that event with 53 points.
Napier who teamed with Kristene Sugai finished second in the High School Double Mugging event and second in the High School Dally Team Roping
Full rodeo results can be found on page B2.
