Poeschel takes bullriding skills to Nationals

by Beth Kraft

Austin Poeschel has been a bullrider for about 10 years, but this week the Mondovi youth will test his staying power at a whole new level.

A junior at Mondovi High School, Poeschel qualified to compete in the 67th annual National High School Finals Rodeo, set to take place this week, July 12-18, in Rock Springs, Wyoming.

Poeschel, who rides with the LBW Rodeo circuit, placed third at the state level recently to punch his ticket to the NHSFR event for the first time.

He says his favorite thing about bullriding is “the adrenaline rush,” and he is excited to compete against other high school bullriders from all across the U.S. in addition to competitors from Canada and Australia.

“I’m looking forward to the experience,” Poeschel said. “Being able to be there and get a feel for what it’s like.”

Poeschel is the only member of the local rodeo circuit to make the cut for Nationals at the ultra-competitive high school level.

Known as the world’s largest rodeo, the NHSFR features over 1,500 contestants from 42 states, five Canadian provinces and Australia. 

In addition to competing for more than $200,000 in prizes, NHSFR contestants will also be competing for more than $350,000 in college scholarships and the chance to be named a NHSFR National Champion. To earn this title, contestants must finish in the top 20 (based on their combined times/scores in the first two rounds) to advance to Saturday evening’s final round. National champions will then be determined based on their three-round combined times/scores.

To follow Austin Poeschel’s progress at Nationals, please visit NHSRA.org daily for complete results. 

The championship performance on Saturday, July 18, will be televised nationally as part of the Cinch High School Rodeo Tour telecast series on RFD-TV. Live broadcasts of each NHSFR performance will also air online at NHSRATV.com on a daily basis at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Austin is the son of Randy and Jill Poeschel of Mondovi.