Column: The rodeo and a memorable weekend

Staff

Published Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Jeff Budlong, On the Rebound

The rodeo came and went this weekend at the Albert Lea Fairgrounds and after experiencing my first rodeo this weekend one thing comes to mind - I can’t wait for next year.

There are few groups of people nicer than the ones you meet at a rodeo. They will take the time to explain what is going on in the ring if you need them to, they will chat about their experiences and it seems, just like any poker player, they have great stories of big wins and bad beats.

Having the opportunity to talk with a family that makes rodeo a major part of their lives makes me appreciate the sport.

These kids put in just as many hours as a football or volleyball player in a sport that is physically demanding and can be dangerous as well.

The parents make a major commitment with their time and money to help their kids be successful in something they honestly love.

I know the rodeo has also gained a new fan in our photographer Adam Hammer, who made multiple trips to the fairgrounds just to get pictures of all of the different events. He came back with impressive action shots that you could never hope to capture on a football field or on the court.

It was definitely impressive to see all of the trailers lined up on the fairgrounds, and it becomes obvious rather quickly just how well taken care of the horses are.

Having grown up on a farm I am used to animals, but still the first time you see a competitor take part in a bulldogging event it is hard to not be impressed when you consider these are high school kids.

Thanks for an entertaining weekend at the rodeo.

Football finally arrives this weekend with the high school and college seasons getting under way.

Readers of this column know I have been in countdown mode for a while now and can’t wait for this to get started.

Locally, several teams are looking forward to strong seasons with Alden-Conger’s squad returning a lighting-quick team. Experience is everywhere you look on the field, expectations are high but the kids and coaches seem to be taking the right approach to it all. It is a step by step process that is always dicey given the chance of injury.

NRHEG returns a solid team which looks to be strong in all the major offensive areas. G-E is under a new head coach, USC has a hungry senior class and I am looking forward to the progress the Tigers make under second-year head coach Clay Anderson.

I think the Iowa schools will both have strong seasons. N-K has a killer schedule but I would be surprised if the Vikings are shutout of the playoffs for a second straight year.

Nationally, I have had the Florida St./Miami game circled since the end of last season. I love early season big matchups and this is the first one. Week two will bring Ohio St. and Texas which will be a tremendous rematch of a game the Longhorns won a year ago. Ohio St. is ranked No. 1 despite losing all but two starters off last year’s defense, go figure, but Texas is loaded with top-tier recruits.

I will also be interested in seeing this new and improved Brian Cupito. After reading Sunday’s Star Tribune I am thinking Heisman, but there is still part of me that thinks if he is the foundation for this year’s Gopher team it is not going to be very stable ground.

The college football season should be fun.

(Sports editor Jeff Budlong’s column runs every Wednesday.)

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