By By SHERRY DIGMON
Advance Staff Writer
Tracey Coleman was recently crowned the Alabama State High School Rodeo Queen by the Alabama High School Rodeo Association (AHSRA). Later this month, she will travel to Springfield, Ill., to compete for the national title at the 53rd Annual National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR).
Usually, a queen from every state competes for the national title, but, Coleman said, only 40 young ladies are scheduled this year.
To become state queen, Coleman earned more points in the seven categories of the queen competition than any other candidate for the AHSRA 2000-2001 rodeo season, which ended with the recent Alabama finals in Montgomery. Coleman took first place in the speech and horsemanship individual competitions.
In claiming the state title, Coleman was awarded numerous prizes and scholarships as well as a new pair of Ariat Boots of her choice. The competition is sponsored by Ariat and the National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA).
Coleman will be in Springhill for the finals July 23 through 29. Since she must pay her own expenses, she is still looking for sponsors. Anyone who would like to contribute may call Coleman at 368-3218.
Coleman, a tenth-grader at Escambia Academy, has been competing since the age of eight. For her, rodeo is a way of life. While she enjoys competing in barrel racing, goat tying, and team roping, and she's looking forward to competing for the national title as queen, the best part of rodeo is the people.