Elgin teen Kale Williamson will compete in the Vegas Tuffest Jr. World Championship Rodeo next month
By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Tuesday, November 14th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
ELGIN — Kale Williamson (KW), a Freshman at Elgin High School, will be competing at the Vegas Tuffest Jr. World Championship Rodeo in Las Vegas next month.
Elkhorn Media Group Staff (EMG) spoke with Kale about his experiences in rodeo, who his rodeo heroes are and what he is most looking forward to.
(EMG) Thanks for speaking with me today, Kale, how long have you been participating in rodeo?
(KW) Ever since I can remember we have done the local rodeos, but it didn’t take off competitively under 10 years old or so.
(EMG) What events do you participate in?
(KW) With high school right now just calf roping and team roping.
(EMG) You will be participating in this year’s Vegas Tuffest Jr. World Championship in December, how did that come about?
(KW) Brad Goodrich puts on his wild bunch roping over there at the Vegas qualifier and we went over there, and I happen to win it. That is how I was able to qualify for both Jr. World Finals and Vegas Tuffest.
(EMG) What are you most looking forward to at the Vegas event?
(KW) Just seeing it and stuff, I have never really been there, and I that I can go down and compete.
(EMG) Kale, who is your hero and why?
(KW) I always thought that Tom Ferguson was pretty cool because he Steer Wrestled and calf-roped, but I do look up to my buddy Noodle quite a bit because he lives and breathes it, and he practices what he preaches, and he is really good.
(EMG) I have interviewed Noodle before too. He is from around the area, isn’t he?
(KW) Yes, he is from Enterprise. He lets me come up and practice.
(EMG) Kale is there anything else you wanted to mention today?
(KW) I wanted to give a shout-out to my sponsors. The Superior Livestock Reps Dan Hindman and Joni Rysdam, Randy and Jody Burgess, Eli Mayes Dental, The Williamson Ranch and Team Wrangler that chose me to be a part of their team in Vegas.
(EMG) Thanks Kale. Good luck in Las Vegas and congratulations for not only qualifying for the Jr World Finals but also competing on the Wrangle Team for the Vegas Tuffest Jr. World Championship. I look forward to hearing how it goes for you.
In a release provided by organizers, it was noted that Kale is one of over 1000 entries from 29 different states including 4 provinces in Canada competing December 6-13 at the Mike and Sherrylynn Johnson Vegas Tuffest Jr. World Championship. This is held during the first weekend of the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.
“We held 41 qualifiers across the United States and Canada to give our rodeo youth an equal chance to make it to Vegas and the opportunity to win their share of $1.5 million + in cash & prizes, “ said Sherrylynn Johnson, the events organizer and four time qualifier for the National Finals Rodeo.”
For more information on the Vegas Tuffest Jr. World Championship log on to https://www.johnsonsportline.com/
