COVID-19 has made its impact in the rodeo world. The Nebraska State High School Rodeo Finals usually held in Hastings was moved to Burwell this year.
Burwell has a population of just over a thousand people and this year the small town, home of Nebraska’s Big Rodeo is host of the State High School Rodeo Finals.
“When they made the decision that Hastings couldn’t have it, they contacted us because we have the space and room here at the Fairgrounds and the arena, so we opened it up and said, ‘Come have it at Burwell,’” President of Nebraska’s Big Rodeo, Jess Helgoth said.
Helgoth said he remembers Hastings being the host for close to 20 years but with Hastings being a hot-spot for COVID-19, it was moved.
Helgoth said it's important to get the season going and warming up the high school students for national finals.
“These kids love to compete and they’re going to represent Nebraska well when it comes to the finals in Guthrie in the middle of July,” said Helgoth.
A high school junior said she had only one regular season rodeo before the State High School Rodeo Finals.
“Burwell stepped up and did a really great job. We’re just thankful we got to have it,” competitor Wacey Day said.
Day said she loves competing in a small town and she says Burwell benefits from it, economically.
“We like the small-town atmosphere in Burwell. We get to help the local businesses, especially during these hard times. It’s a really cool experience to be in Burwell for State Finals,” said Day.
The Nebraska State High School Rodeo Finals continues through Saturday, June 20.