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Rough Rider: State High-School Rodeo Tests Athletes' Skills, Parents' Nerves

Posted on: Sunday, 18 June 2006, 15:00 CDT

By Jane Hawes, The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio

Jun. 18--DELAWARE, Ohio -- His boyish face was spotted with dirt. His left shin was bleeding in three places. His left wrist had a cut he didn't remember getting.

But Cody Kelley had one scar from his ride on the big, black bull that made him happy. Left elbow. He showed his mother, Debbie, a new tear in the previously white Wrangler All-Star Rodeo team shirt.

"That's a new one," Kelley said with a broad grin. These shirts, and the tears in them, are badges of honor for participants in the Ohio High School Rodeo Association championships taking place this weekend at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.

They're proof that the rider wearing them has been to the national championships.

Kelley, 18, just graduated from Buckeye Valley High School in Delaware County. He's been to the nationals twice and hopes to earn one last trip before heading to Ohio State University this fall.

Nearly 50 student-athletes from around the state are competing through today in the Ohio finals. Other central Ohioans include competitors from Columbus Briggs and Dublin Coffman high schools. The top four finishers in 10 events qualify for the nationals, scheduled for the last week in July in Springfield, Ill.

Only the top two, however, get the shirts.

Kelley specializes in the three "rough stock" events: bareback bronc, saddle bronc and bull riding. That means trying to stay atop some angry animals that are trying equally hard to pitch the riders off their backs.

Seven other timed events test animal-roping and speedriding skills.

The difference between the two types of competitors?

"Well, for lack of a better term," Kelley said, "rough-stock riders are more egotistical. The timed-event people, they're more quiet. They're the ones always twirling ropes, trying to catch people's heels."

Kelley got into rodeo three years ago, when a couple of cowboys he met at church persuaded him to try bull riding.

On his first attempt, he stayed on the bull for 4 seconds -- only half the time needed to score points -- but he was hooked.

Cody is the only member of his family to ride in rodeos, but his parents, older brother, Chase, and adoring 7-year-old sister, Carly, turn out to watch every competition.

"I think he's very amazing riding his horses," Carly said Friday evening while waiting in the stands for her brother to bounce into the fairgrounds arena on his first bareback mount.

"I wish I could ride with him so I could make sure he doesn't get hurt."

As far as cowboy damage goes, Cody Kelley has been pretty fortunate: just one broken pinky and a concussion.

"After three years, you kind of get used to it," his mother said. "Right before he goes, though, when he's in the chute, your stomach kind of does a flip-flop."

Kelley's girlfriend, Sarah Spain, also admitted to a rush of nerves.

"Oh, I get nervous, very nervous," she said, knocking over a water bottle as Kelley, about 50 yards away, lowered himself onto a lively horse.

And the gate flew up and Kelley was off, leaning far back with one hand in the air.

He stayed on for the full 8 seconds and racked up enough points to put himself in the first-round lead.

Dismounting was a bit more challenging, as the animal refused to stop bucking and took Kelley on a post-banging ride around the arena.

"He'll be sore tomorrow, that's for sure," Sarah said.

The Ohio High School Rodeo Association championships continue today at the Delaware County Fairgrounds, 236 Pennsylvania Ave., Delaware. Enter through the west gates opposite Euclid Avenue. Admission is $8. Events begin at 1 p.m.

JaneEHawes@cs.com

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio

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