2022 has come and gone and looking back, it was truly such a great year for me in so many different aspects of my life.

Last year was my rookie season in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association for breakaway roping, and I am pretty happy with how much I grew and the level at which I competed.

I won fifth in the first round of the Pendleton Round-Up out of 100 of the top girls in the world, which was the most surreal feeling, especially since it was my first time roping on the grass. Not to mention this rodeo is a family favorite.

I split third/fourth out of 140 girls in the Wildcard Round at Cheyenne Frontier Days, another legendary rodeo with the top competitors. 

I won second at quite a few circuit rodeos and across the board at others, clocking me in for my very first Columbia River Circuit Finals. Then, at the circuit finals, I won the first round with a 2.4. 

I also had the opportunity to be a reporter for the Cowboy Channel at the circuit finals, an experience that I loved and is hopefully a glimpse of what my future career is like. I loved being able to compete and then get off my horse and interview the other winning contestants; it was the epitome of a “dream job.” 

Outside of my rodeoing, I began working for The Daily Evergreen in Feb. 2022, which has 110% changed the trajectory of my life. I have always loved writing, but the Evergreen reminded me just how special it is to me and how much I love sharing events, news and even just my rodeo life with others. 

Without the Evergreen I would not be reporting like I am and I wouldn’t have this column, which has brought me so much joy. I also had the opportunity to co-write articles for USA Today in 2022, which was an amazing experience for my journalism career and something that I am so thankful for. 

I turned 21, watched Jason Aldean, Morgan Wallen and Miranda Lambert in concert (quite possibly my three favorites of all time), competed once again on Keeper at the College National Finals in Wyoming, lived in my first college apartment and made great memories with my family and friends. 

2022 was an outstanding year for my rodeoing and future aspirations, and I could not be more thankful that so many accomplishments were jam-packed into one little year.

Look out 2023, you have some big boots to fill for the Cougar Cowgirl.