Three local Mission Valley Rodeo athletes competed in the Wrangler Junior Rodeo Nationals this past weekend in Gallup, N.M.

Will Powell, of St. Ignatius, Abby Knight, of Charlo, and Wyatt Lytton, of Ronan, all qualified for nationals after tremendous performances at the state finals in Hamilton earlier in the month.

The event took place between June 27 to June 3.

Will Lytton has been keeping a journal for the Lake County Leader. Here is the entries he made during the event:

July 3

The finals have ended. It is a sad time in a way just because you work so hard throughout the year to earn your way here and then you are excited to get here and the finals went by so fast.

The final results for Montana are:

Team Standings

Montana was 18th

Montana Boys were 15th

Montana Girls were 18th

Will Powell placed second in the All-Around Rookie Cowboy. We did fantastic and Montana as well as the Mission Valley can be proud of the representation from Will, Abby and Wyatt. This finals was a huge honor for me and I know for my teammates as well. Soon we will be back at it in August starting our new rodeo year. I hope you all enjoyed our view from the finals

-Wyatt, Abby and Will

July 1

7th Round last night was our paying tribute to our soldiers who are serving now as well as those who have served. This has great meaning to me since my dad served in Vietnam and my grandpa served in WWII and Korean Wars. In the 7th round, Will in the breakaway got no time. That sure was a good run by Will but it wasn't his night. In the pole bending Abby made a run of 38.09. Abby gave it a good go. We were proud of her. Will and I entered up last night in a team roping jackpot. There were a lot of teams entered. We missed. They have jackpots after the rodeos at night. These have been a lot of fun and I am meeting a lot of other kids who love to rope like me from other places. Will chute dogged this morning in the 8th performance. He had a time of 2.424 placing him 4th in the round. Woohoo to Will! Montana is right in there with the stadnings. More rodeo to come!

-Wyatt, Abby, Will.

June 30

Although I am keeping you posted on the locals (Wyatt Lytton, Abby Knight and Will Powell) I just wanted to let you know that the whole Montana team is doing well. I am enjoying the experience with my teammate and feel grateful for this fantastic opportunity that all of us worked so hard to make the team.

With that said, last nights rodeo went well. Will posted a time of 12.255 in the chute dogging. Will and I entered a jackpot roping last night too. There were lots of teams in it, over 50-plus. We roped in the 1st round, 8.85 clean. It brought us fourth high team back in the second go. Will missed heading for us so we were out. So close. That's why they call it team roping. We will try it again later on.

Today, the 6th round was good. Will posted a time of 3.411 in boy's breakaway. We cheered loud for him. Not everyone is up each day, so that's why I tell you about each of us at different times. Abby was pole bending today. She had a bit of time with her horse and got a no time. I felt for Abby because she loved running the poles.

-Wyatt, Abby and Will.

June 29

Third round of the rodeo was great for Montana. We all are doing our best. Abby goat tied and got a time of 26.577. We were proud of her. Will was also in the round team roping. His team got a time of 14.818 placing them third in the round. That got the crowd cheering. 4th round was this morning. We have two rounds a day, one in the A.M. and one in the P.M. Abby was up in barrels, she posted a time of 18.150. She did well. We had a rodeo team tug of war. It was a loser out competition. I'm proud to say our Montana team won, it was a blast. Our team has a lot of heart and it shows. It was a fun time for all of us.

June 28

The trip down to Gallup was great. It took us two days to get here. Everyone made it safely. You wouldn't believe this place. Wow! You feel pretty cool with how you are treated, like the pros. Everyone is so kind. We got checked in, which was amazing. This place is built in a red rock canyon. It is beautiful. We have had lots to do getting ready for rodeo. Team pictures, contestants, meetings and events they have for the contestants.

I have enjoyed this experience just being here. I was up in the first night's performance. My partner caught and lost his dally when heading for me. We took no time. My teammates Abby and Will were up ribbon roping. They took a no time. Abby was up in the 2nd performance this A.M. She got a no time. We all are doing our best and the word TRY stands out for all of us. I need to ten to my partner Mesa. He is the best horse and with the weather hot our horses care needs to come first. I will text more updates and send pictures soon. Signing off from the Finals.

-Wyatt, Abby and Will.

Brandon, Abby was up in breakaway today, I didn't state that to you in my first text. The whole Montana team is doing great. I will write again, Wyatt.

June 23

Well, it is a fun time for all of us and being excited isn't even the half of how we feel. Things are going well and we are off in a couple of days to go for our National Finals Junior Rodeo trip to Gallup, New Mexico.

It has been a lot of hard work and we are just so pleased to represent our State of Montana at such a wonderful event. They call it the world's largest junior rodeo. It is true. It feels like the National Finals Rodeo in Vegas to us.

As for me, I have been practicing getting ready for this rodeo. I am roping lots and I entered a rodeo last weekend with my partner Colton Johns of Deer Lodge.

We did very well at the rodeo. It was a great weekend of roping and a good way to head into the finals. We are hoping to do a great job of representing our State and doing what is necessary to make a good run in each or our events.

We all are doing what is necessary in preparing for the finals with our practicing. We all have worked hard to get to this point and it truly is a huge honor for all of us!

For all of us heading to Gallup who are on the team, Wyatt, Abbey and Will, we are hoping for good weather, good runs for both our horses and ourselves and also bringing that championship home to our state.

We will see what we can do. We want to thank everyone for all your support to our team. It is appreciated. We will continue to keep you posted from the road to the National Junior High Rodeo Finals.

-Wyatt Lytton, Abbey Knight and Will Powell