DENVER- Peyton Kottwitz, an 11th-grade student at Niobrara County High School has earned a position on the Wyoming state/provincial National High School rodeo team and will be traveling with fellow teammates to Rock Springs, Wyo., July 15-21 to compete at the 70th annual National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) in the Reined Cow Horse competition.

Peyton has been competing in the Reined Cow Horse event in High School Rodeo for 3 years. She made it to Nationals last year in Gillette, WY.

Featuring more than 1,650 contestants from 43 states, five Canadian Provinces, Australia and Mexico, the NHSFR is the world’s largest rodeo. In addition to competing for more than $200,000 in prizes, NHSFR contestants will also be competing for more than $350,000 in college scholarships and the chance to be named an NHSFR World Champion. To earn this title, contestants must finish in the top 20 – based on their combined times/scores in the first two rounds – to advance to Saturday evening’s final round. World champions will then be determined based on their three-round combined times/scores.

Again, this year, the Saturday championship performance will be televised nationally as a part of the Cinch Highschool Rodeo Tour telecast series on RFD-TV. LIVE broadcasts of each NHSFR performance will air online at www.RidePass.com. Performance times are 7 p.m. on July 15, and 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. each day thereafter.

Along with great rodeo competition and the chance to meet new friends from around the world, NHSFR contestants have the opportunity to enjoy shooting sports, volleyball, contestant dances, family-oriented activities, church services sponsored by the Fellowship of Christian Cowboys, and shopping at the NHSFR tradeshow.

To follow your local favorites at the NHSFR, visit NHSFR.com daily for complete results. For ticket information, visit www.SweetwaterEvents.com.