The cowboy way

All-around winners for boys and girls in four age groups each received $1,000 May 5 as the third annual John Perry Wickett Memorial Junior Rodeo closed its two-day run at the Sallisaw Rodeo Grounds.

The rodeo, which attracted 600 contestants, was held for the first time in conjunction with the annual Diamond Daze festival. The rodeo is sanctioned by the Oklahoma Junior Rodeo Association, and events featured barrels, breakaway, flags, goat tying, goat undecorating, heading, heeling, poles, ribbon roping and tie-down roping.

Sponsors for the rodeo, which make the $1,000 bonuses possible, include Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce, Sallisaw Main Street, Sallisaw Lions Club, Shelter Insurance – Randall Baker Agency, Armstrong Bank, Moore Feeds, True Family Rentals, Dr. Gary White (Sallisaw Equine Clinic) and Sparks Corner Store.

Winners were Kaddo Reed, Jaxey Wickett, J-Luke Wickett, Taylor Rickman, Lowrey Bruce, Cale Neisius, Havyn Timmons and Tate Owens.