LIHU‘E — Mahina Pu‘u and Kahinu Palama-Soares both qualified to compete in the national finals rodeo for high school rodeo participants in Gillette, Wyoming, following the Hawai‘i High School Rodeo Association state finals that wrapped up Sunday on Hawai‘i Island.
Pu‘u ended qualifying in barrel racing and breakaway roping after going to the short round in all three of her entered events, said Tammy Pu‘u, her mom and Kaua‘i High School Rodeo Association president.
She finished the state competition second in barrels, fifth in breakaway roping and ninth in pole bending in addition to earning a $1,000 merit scholarship.
“The separation from Casera Silva’s first-place barrel win to Mahina’s second place was 0.185 of a second,” Tammy Pu‘u said.
“Following three runs, Casera had a combined time of 51.694 to Mahina’s 51.879. Our Kaua‘i girls kicked butt!”
Tammy Pu‘u said all five of the Kaua‘i district qualifiers made it to the short round following two days of competition.
Silva finished with a great weekend, earning the $1,000 merit scholarship in addition to being named 2022 Reserve All Around State Champion Cowgirl.
Her winnings include barrel racing state champion, barrel racing aggregate champion, the reining cow horse reserve champion, third place in girls cutting, fifth place in pole bending, seventh in team roping, sixth in breakaway roping and the Spirit Award.
Kahinu Palama-Soares is the second Kaua‘i HSRA participant to qualify for the Wyoming nationals, in team roping and tie-down roping. He finished on the short list in po‘o wai u, double mugging, tie-down roping and team roping.
“Nicole Medeiros entered barrels, poles and goat-tying this weekend, and pulled off some of best times,” Tammy Pu‘u said. “She just missed the cut for nationals, but did an amazing job.”
“Taylor Langtad, one of the few freshmen competitors at states, came into the weekend entered in barrels, poles, breakaway and goats,” Tammy Pu‘u said. “She actually qualified for nationals in goat-tying, but decided to pass and wait until next year.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
