Athletes from around the state were are in town this week to compete in the 2019 Alabama Junior Rodeo Association state finals at the Covington Center Arena.

Andalusia’s Braxton Bozeman had a strong showing on Tuesday in several events.

Alyssa Bozeman also had a big day in the events in which she participated.

Helena Cotton picked up a top ten finish in the sixth to eighth grade pole-bending event.

Cotton was the second contestant to compete in the event.

She came flying out the gate and weaved through the poles with grace.

Cotton rounded the final pole and raced for the time line.

When the time was called out, Cotton was on top of the leader board with a time of 23.989.

Cotton’s time held up for a little while before Darby Poole came in with a blistering time of 21.443.

Poole almost knocked over one of the final poles that would have tacked on a five second penalty, but the pole swayed and stayed upright.

On Wednesday, Poole was named eighth grade queen for next season.

Makayla Eubanks finished in second place with a time of 22.601.

Kennedy Wilson had a third place finish with a time of 22.743.

Jaylee Hightower finished with a time of 23.248.

Morgan Wilson turned in a time of 23.694.

Cotton had the next best time with a score of 23.989.

Emily Fugate finished day one with a time of 25.192.

Trinity Overly turned a time of 26.885.

Emma Wilkerson got a time of 29.081.

Maggie Ard came in with a time of 30.739.

Current queen Robbie Grace Bolten finished with a time of 38.368.

A. Bozeman came racing out of the gate on her run and made impressive time on the straight run.

A. Bozeman had a strong pace going, but barely rubbed against a couple of poles causing them to wobble to the ground.

The five-second penalties tacked on to the fallen poles turned her time to 39.736.

The rodeo will continue today at 10 a.m., for the second go of events.

Cotton will compete in the breakaway event, pole bending, and girl’s goat tying and barrel racing.

A. Bozeman will compete in the breakaway event, pole bending, team roping and barrel racing.

B. Bozeman will compete in the breakaway event, team roping and goat tying.

The final day of events will be held on Saturday.