New Davison County High School Rodeo Team Kicks Off Its Inaugural Season

MITCHELL — Rodeo, often seen as a solitary pursuit, is taking a new direction for high school athletes from Mitchell and Ethan with the establishment of a collaborative team. This marks the debut season for the Davison County Area high school rodeo team, initiated by Rylee Jennings, a rising senior at Mitchell High School. Jennings recognized that neighboring communities had high school rodeo teams and believed Mitchell could benefit from a similar program.

After discussions with school officials, Jennings successfully gained recognition for the rodeo as a club, enabling students to earn letters in the sport. Starting in the 2026-27 school year, Kernel students will have this opportunity. "In terms of school, I feel like Mitchell is not really as well known with rodeo as other towns," Jennings expressed. "I think that was why I put it together because there's multiple people in Mitchell and Ethan that rodeo. I think people should know that we do this."

The team currently consists of 16 members, with approximately half being high school students from both towns. This initiative is believed to be the first athletic co-op at the high school level between Mitchell and Ethan. Coach Walt Moody emphasized the importance of teamwork, stating, "There's a lot of power in numbers... We've got the Davison County name but it's broad enough that we don't have to leave anybody out if it works for this to continue growing."

During a recent practice at Stampede Park, Coach Chelsie Cunningham guided the barrel racers through both high-speed runs and slower, more technical maneuvers. With 14 years of experience training young riders, Cunningham expressed her joy in coaching, saying, "Just to be able to help a kid that's been struggling... that's a great feeling." Moody praised Jennings for creating more opportunities for students to engage in team sports through rodeo.

While traditionally an individual sport, rodeo allows for collaboration among team members who share the same goals. "You can bounce ideas off each other and you can practice together," Moody noted. Jennings, who also plays soccer and softball during the school year, balances her summer activities between rodeo and softball. "My grandpa had horses, so I've been riding all my life and doing rodeo all my life," she shared, adding that pole bending is her favorite event.