3 minute read
Vegreville News Advertiser - Sports
Achieving New Heights of Success
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
“Chase your dreams until you catch them…and then dream, catch and dream again!” That quotation comes from Dee Marie and aptly applies to local rodeo competitor Paiten Axten who continues to achieve new heights of success in the sport of rodeo.
The Lavoy area barrel racer returned to Canada a couple of days prior to the Hairy Hill Rodeo and talked about competing against the best of the best in the Junior High National Rodeo in Des Moines, Iowa. The event is one of the largest rodeos in the world with over 1,200 middle school students from more than 40 states, five provinces in Canada, Australia and Mexico.
Paiten explained a bit about the qualifying events prior to the Junior High National Rodeo. She said you have to compete in the Alberta High School Rodeo Association rodeos that are held in the fall and spring with the top 10 qualifying to compete in Provincials that were held in Rimbey June 24-26.
As far as expectations, Paiten said she was, “Just happy to make it to Provincials.” However, she placed in the top four in barrel racing and in the top three with her team roping partner Treston Campbell to advance to Nationals.
Nationals were held from June 23-29. She described it as an “incredible experience” and one she will never forget. “When you’re competing there, you’re competing against the best in the world. The weather was very hot the last day. I ran barrels it down poured, but for the most part of the weather was really good. The rodeo ring was beautiful. The ground was great.
I learned so much from nationals. I learned you can’t get upset over one thing you did wrong. There’s something you always have work on. I’m going to work hard on my roping to make it back there.”
At the tender age of 13, Paiten has accomplished a great deal in the sport, but is yearning for more success. She said, “I have dreamed of making it to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada all my life.”
Given her passion, determination, and work ethic the sky’s the limit.
Blue Jays Bring Home Decisive Win
Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent
Vegreville Blue Jays (VBJ) played a baseball game versus the Rosalind Athletics without a cloud in sight and the sun out where they won 8-2 at Riverview Ball Diamond on July 2.
This local team has a 20-man roster this season. Kyle Muzechka pitched extremely well going six innings and finishing with 10 strikeouts. Tag Weder had a home run and pitched one inning with three strikeouts.
VBJ Manager and Player Stephen Hrabec commented, “The team excelled with some timely hits and strong defense.”
