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Routt high school cowboys rope up trip to nationals

Keenan Hayes comes out of the gates at the Colorado High School Championships last summer. Hayes will appear in the new series started by his dad, Donnie Hayes, when it comes to Craig in May. He competed at Hayden's first Winter Rodeo this season.
Courtesy photo

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Hayden’s Keenan Hayes took another step in his short, but illustrious, rodeo career last weekend, winning a pair of events at the Colorado State High School Rodeo Association finals in Craig. 

Hayes, who just finished up his freshman year at Hayden High School, scored state championships in both saddle bronc riding and bareback riding. In bareback, he rode all three of his horses to run away from the competition, the only competitor to do so. One ride was good enough in saddle bronc, and that got him the win.

Hayes also scored big in bull riding, placing second for reserve champion. 



Soroco’s Jace Logan, who will enter his senior year in the fall, had a good weekend, as well. He placed second, reserve champion, in steer wrestling, then was third in tie-down roping.

Several other local athletes competed in Craig, as well.

Kaitlynn Hayes, also from Hayden, was at her best in goat tying, placing 16th. She also placed 30th in barrel racing.

Soroco’s Kayla Wille was 27th in barrels while Lily Van Ness, from Steamboat Springs, was 32nd.

Jace Logan and Cody Logan also competed in team roping, placing 21st and 22nd respectively.

Keenan Hayes was second on the season in all-around and Jace Logan third.

Those two cowboys aren’t finished after that rodeo in Craig, either. Both now head to the high school national finals, set for July 15 to 21 in Rock Springs, Wyoming.

Both are standouts in other high school sports.

Hayes placed fourth at the Class 2A state wrestling tournament in his first season and scored a touchdown with the football team in the fall.

Logan has finished second in Class 2A at state wrestling in each of his three high school seasons and, in the fall, rushed for 3,230 yards on the ground and scored 47 touchdowns on the Soroco state semifinal football team.

To reach Joel Reichenberger, call 970-871-4253, email jreichenberger@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @JReich9.


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