Cody and Lucas Falconer have qualified to compete at the world's largest rodeo.
The brothers are off to the 64th annual National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) from July 15-21 at Rock Springs, Wyoming, where they will compete in team roping.
This year, the duo placed second in the province (reserve champions) in their event, earning a spot on the nationals and Canadians teams. Along with the nationals in Wyoming, they will be at the Canadians in Virden, Man. in August.
This is Cody's last year on the high school rodeo circuit as he graduates from G.P. Vanier this month. Lucas is in Grade 11 at Vanier.
"Cody and Lucas have been the only kids participating in the last several years," said Sam Oakford, the boys' mother and provincial secretary for the B.C. High School Rodeo Association.
"Cody is graduating, leaving only Lucas to keep up the sport from the Island."
Last year, the brothers finished fifth overall in B.C. and just missed a trip to the nationals. They did go to the Canadians, finishing eighth overall. They also earned season leader buckles for header and heeler.
This year the boys once again earned season leader for header and heeler. "They were so far ahead no one could catch up in points three rodeos before the finals," Oakford said. "They had a great spring season after spending some time in Arizona again this winter."
At B.C. finals the brothers competed in team roping and tie down roping. Cody won the third go with an 11.4-second run. Overall he finished 10th in the province while Lucas finished 15th.
"Cody had a grad ceremony at the B.C. finals rodeo in Williams Lake and earned two scholarships. One was from B.C. High School Rodeo for $250 and the other was from the Canadian Pro Rodeo Association for $400," Oakford said.
At the B.C. finals, a Vancouver film company was following the boys, as well as another family from Langley, around. taking rodeo film and doing interviews for a documentary on Canadian teenagers that is scheduled to air in Germany sometime around the end of the year. "Very cool," Oakford said.
The NHSFR in Wyoming features over 1,500 contestants from five Canadian provinces, 41 American states and Australia. In addition to competing for over $200,000 in prizes, contestants vie for more than $350,000 in college scholarships.
To earn the title of NHSRF champion, contestants must finish in the top 20 after two go-rounds of intense competition before advancing to the championship performance.
The NHSFR is scheduled to air live online twice daily, with details at www.nhrsa.org. In addition, the action will be carried live via iHigh.com on their audio webcast.
To follow the Falconers at the NHSFR, visit the NHSRA website for complete results at www.nhsra.org.