Sikeston Rodeo will have local entries

The 52nd annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo gets under way tonight with a local feel to the PRCA event.

Among the 366 contestants, of which there are several defending PRCA champions, local rodeo fans should recognize the names of several entries from around the area.

Jackson natives Kadin Boardman, Tonya Crites and Cindy Robbins are among the local entries who will compete. Also competing are Chris Evans of Benton, Curtis and Jason Griffin of Advance and Dustin Ogelvie of Oak Ridge. The Griffins and Ogelvie will all be competing in bareback riding.

The events will kick off at 6:45 p.m. each night with the grand entrance. The rodeo events will begin at 7 p.m. with bareback riding. Other events include bull riding, calf roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping and barrel racing for the women.

"We've got great cowboys and great cowgirls, and we also have great stock," rodeo general chairman Lloyd Stoner Jr. said.

For those die-hard rodeo fans, names like Dan Mortenson, Teddy Johnson and Fred Whitfield should add some excitement to the event.

Stoner said there should be no less than 10 of the top 20 cowboys and cowgirls in each event competing in Sikeston.

"We've got a heck of a lineup as far as cowboys go," he said.