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Jacobsen brothers hold sixth spot at national contestHalf way through the first performance of the High School National Finals Rodeo, twins, Joe and Jim Jacobsen from Stacy are sitting in sixth place in team roping. With a 7.456 second run in the very first performance of the 2002 rodeo competition, the pair put themselves into a very respectful place with chances of making it in to the short go, if they can make another good run on their second performance this weekend. A solid performance in the second round would put the boys into an elite category: a place in the top twenty roping teams in the national competition. The High School National Finals Rodeo is the largest rodeo in the world. Taking place in Farmington, New Mexico, this is the last time that the Jacobsen boys will be participating at the high school level after four straight years of qualifying for this prestigious event. Joe was the boys all-around champion for the 2001-02 Minnesota High School Rodeo Association season, while his brother, Jim, was the reserve all-around champ. The twins are 2002 graduates of North Branch High School. At nationals, Joe also competed in calf roping after winning the event at the state level. The High School National Finals Rodeo is the largest rodeo in the world, with week-long rodeo events. More than 1,500 high school athletes compete from 39 states, Canada and Australia. Also representing the area at the national competition was John Buchannan, a North Branch High School junior this year. Buchannan advanced in the bull riding competition after finishing as one of the top qualifiers at the state level. In all, 39 athletes will represent Team Minnesota at the High School National Finals Rodeo this year. Team Minnesota has been improving its annual standings in recent years at the High School National Finals Rodeo, finishing as high as ninth in the nation during each of the last two years. ©ECM Post Review |