LUFKIN, Texas (KTRE) – High school rodeo competitors from across East Texas gathered in Lufkin this weekend for the Region 5 qualifying event, displaying skills in multiple disciplines as they worked toward advancing to regional finals.
The competition featured events including barrel racing, poles, goat tying, tie down, breakaway roping and team roping. Students demonstrated preparation and practice developed over years of competition.
“A lot of these kids start junior high rodeoing now through the region,” said Brandon Bannister, president of the Region 5 High School Rodeo Association. “A lot of time in and out of the arena, a lot of practice at home.”
Among the competitors was Kali Jo Bannister, who became the 2025 State Champion Breakaway roper at age 16. This weekend she competed in team roping and breakaway events.
“I’ve been rodeoing since I was like eight,” Kali Jo Bannister said. “I started roping when I was 10 and I’ve had a bunch of achievements. Last year I won state and so I went to nationals in Wyoming and made the short go there.”
Kali Jo, who serves as student secretary for the Region 5 High School Rodeo Association, said she was born into a rodeo family. She cares for two horses, Max and Earl, with Earl being her newer horse used for breakaway roping.
“We actually used to live in our barn,” she said. “This is Max. He’s my team roping horse and he’s really big, but he’s really fast and he’s a really cool horse.”
Brandon Bannister, who is also Kali Jo’s father, has worked with many of the young competitors since they were children.
“We’ve seen them, been around them since they were little kids,” he said. “It’s pretty neat just to watch them grow up, watch them do what they love to do and just watch them excel in what they love.”
The top ten students in each event from this weekend’s competition will advance to Region Finals in Lufkin in April. From there, top finishers head to the state finals in Abilene in June.
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