Murray 7th grader headed to National Rodeo Finals

A Murray seventh grader will make her second consecutive appearance at the National Junior High Rodeo Finals. Alexandra “Alex” Clark, a student at Murray Junior High, placed in two events in state competition, barrel racing and pole bending, to qualify for the 18th annual 2023 National Junior High Rodeo Finals with the Jr. High Rodeo Iowa Team.

Clark took first place in poles as well as her second straight Iowa State Finals Average title and after staging an incredible comeback in the third round of barrels, took first in the round and had the fastest time of all three rounds over Memorial Day weekend at the state competition. Her quarterhorse, “Monster,” took home AQHA Horse of the Year honors.

The National Junior High Finals Rodeo, one of the largest rodeos in the world, will be held June 18-24 in Perry, Georgia, at the Perry National Fairgrounds. Approximately 1,200 junior high school students from the United States, Canada, Australia and Mexico who have qualified as the “best of the best,” will compete for thousands of dollars in scholarships and prizes. The event will be live-streamed on the Cowboy Channel + Network.