PO‘IPU — Skye Schumacher, Taylor Langtad and Meleana Tancayo are heading to the national rodeo competition in Rock Springs, Wyoming, in July following the state rodeo held in Makawao, Maui, over the weekend.
Tammy Puu, of the Hawai‘i High School Rodeo Association, Kaua‘i district, said a number of high schoolers from Kaua‘i, including Austin Camara, Rayven Orsatelli, Chase Orsatelli, Aleigha Palama, Schumacher, Langtad, Kiana Mertz, Tancayo, Janaya Barriga, Kahanu Blackstad and Wehilani Blackstad were joined by Kaua‘i district president Gabe Kuhlmann and vice president Cory Carveiro attended the rodeo where the top four places received a bid to nationals.
Rayven Orsatelli finished the Maui rodeo by earning a merit scholarship.
Additionally, Puu said junior rodeo participants earned qualifications to the national rodeo that will be held in Des Moines, Iowa, starting next week.
“We have three going to Des Moines, Iowa, for nationals, next week,” Puu said. “Paisley Kuhlmann will compete in breakaway roping; Rylee Rita will compete with Mateo Vegas in the team sport of ribbon roping, and Mateo Vegas will compete in boys breakaway roping, team roping on the heel end for header Elleianna Shinno of O‘ahu and ribbon roping with Rylee.”
These juniors earned their nationals qualifications during the junior high school state finals event that was held on May 10-11 at Parker Ranch on the Big Island.
Kaua‘i district sent a dozen competitors: Savannah Mirandad, Paisley Kuhlmann, Seaena Davidson, Reese Farias, Rylee Rita, Jade Pacilio, Kamaile Cacal-Wong, Kealohi Oliveira, Racer Faye, Mateo Vegas, Colten Manibog and Lawakua Palama.
Maui rodeo recap
Kahanu Blackstad: second in tie down roping; 3rd boys cutting; seventh in Po‘o wai U.
Skye Schumacher (national’s qualifier): second in pole bending; first in girls cutting.
Taylor Langtad (national’s qualifer): second in girls cutting; eighth in reined cow horse; fourth in pole bending.
Wehilani Blackstad: seventh in breakaway roping.
Aleigha Palama: fourth in breakaway roping.
Meleana Tancayo (national’s qualifier): shooting.
Austin Camara (Hawai‘i’s own events): third in Po‘o wai U, fifth in double mugging.
Dayton Vidinha (Hawai‘i’s own events): eighth in double mugging.
Kiana Mertz: 1st Runner Up in queen contest.
