Josie Mousel, having only just returned this past weekend from the National High School Rodeo Finals in Gillette, Wyoming, was already back in the arena to practice.
“It was the best week of my life,” she said.
The Colman area teen was among only a small handful of athletes to qualify for Nationals from the eastern part of the state. She had high expectations for herself.
The incoming senior missed, however, both days she was up in the breakaway roping event.
Mousel understands that that’s how it can go with rodeo — you get one shot. Knowing she can do better, she was back in the arena late Sunday night, looking ahead to the two rodeos she is entered in this weekend and working to qualify again this next year.