FHSU University Communications
Standout Tiger Rodeo Cowgirl, Hailey Witte, has qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo to be held in Casper, Wyo., June 15-21. This is the first national qualification for Fort Hays State in many years, so the excitement for the program is at a high level.
Witte is a freshman from Crookston, Neb., and was the year-end regional reserve champion in the barrel racing event. She won four events outright during the year, and her crowning achievement at the regional rodeos was winning the Fort Hays State Rodeo in grand fashion.
“She not only won our rodeo, but she also annihilated the competition by smoking two runs on her way to winning the aggregate,” said FHSU Rodeo Coach Guy Forell. “Frankly, no one else had a chance, and it was great fun to watch.”
“It’s pretty exciting to hear the crowd go crazy cheering for your own people.”
Witte was a two-time state champion barrel racer in Nebraska and a National High School qualifier. She is an animal science major at Fort Hays. Witte rides a horse by the name of Hummer, a beautiful palomino gelding with personality and speed.
With the upkeep of horses and equipment, Witte's rodeo career takes up a lot of her time, not including the amount of traveling the sport requires.
She is excited at the chance to qualify for her first CNFR in her first year of college competition and will be working the next few weeks getting Hummer in top shape and preparing herself mentally and physically for college rodeo’s biggest stage.