This week marks the return of the National High School Finals Rodeo to Rock Springs for the first time since 2019, and local cowboy Braunson Sims is hoping the close proximity of the event will give him a bit of a home field advantage.

Sims — set to compete in his first-ever NHSFR — qualified for the prestigious event after a successful run through the Utah  high school rodeo circuit, where he finished as one of the Top 4 bareback riders in the state.

“I would say I kinda have a home field advantage, because I don’t have to travel very far, but I still have to go do my job like any other rodeo,” Sims said. “I am also excited about friends and family coming to watch, because some of them don’t get to see me ride all the time, and they’ll get to see me compete against the best the sport has to offer.”

Nearly 1,700 high school rodeo athletes from 44 U.S. states, five Canadian provinces, along with Australia, Mexico and New Zealand will descend on Rock Springs for the 76th Annual National High School Finals Rodeo, all vying for a coveted World Championship. Competition began Sunday, and runs through Saturday at the Sweetwater Events Complex.

Since locking up his spot in the NHSFR, Sims has kept busy this summer by competing (and winning) in rodeos around the region, including the local Evanston Rodeo Series.

“This summer run has gone really well,” he said. “The highlight of the summer has been knowing I can win everywhere I go, and compete with tough competition.” 

When he’s not in the rodeo arena, Sims — an incoming senior at Evanston High School, where he competes in football and wrestling — has been working with PT Jackie Clark at AppleJax Sports Performance on his strength and conditioning. All three of his sports can take their toll on the body, and Sims said Clark has been instrumental in getting him where he needs to be, physically and mentally.

“Jackie has been a huge help to me, because she focuses on everything I do,” he said. “She’s always pushing me, and wants me at the best I can be. I can’t wait to see the progress I’ve made from when I started with her. She puts in so much time and effort, and I really appreciate her and everything she does for me.”

For her part, Clark said she’s been impressed with Sims’ work ethic and determination, as well as his desire to be the best in whatever sports he chooses.

“Braunson has honestly transformed this summer working in the AppleJax garage with me,” she said. “He is completing a strength and conditioning/sports performance training program, with focus on arm strength and power development. His work ethic grows each week, as well as his results. I am so excited for him to compete in the NHSFR this week and then to watch him on the football field — he is going to be better and stronger than last year.”

With the start of his senior football season just weeks away, Sims said that — while his focus this summer has been primarily on rodeo — football is never far from his thoughts, and he’s been training for both. The Red Devils are coming off their best season in years in 2023, and Sims aims to be a factor in continuing that success.

“I’m very excited about the football season — the team has put in a lot of work this summer, and if we keep doing what we’re doing, I think it will be a very special season for us,” he said. “Yes, rodeo has been my main focus lately, but I have made time for football, and when the NHSFR is over, football is my next thing, and what the majority of my time will be towards.”

Sims’ first ride in the NHSFR was scheduled for Monday evening; he’ll ride again Friday morning. Asked what he expects heading into the event, Sims said he has his work cut out for him, but he’s confident in what he can do. Competition will be fierce, with riders like defending NHSFR World Champion Tuker Carricato from Saratoga and 5th-place finisher Blayn Hughston from Michigan returning for another shot at greatness.

“My expectations are to go and win, but I know it won’t be handed to me,” he said. “I have to go and do what I can, and see how it plays out.”