KLAMATH FALLS – The Kings are headed back to the National High School Rodeo Finals.

Amanda and Gus King qualified for the national finals during the state finals in Klamath Falls June 18-21. They both went to the nationals in Springfield, Ill., last year. This year the pair will travel to Farmington, N.M., July 20 to 28.

“I think it’s pretty special to be able to go with my family,” Gus said. “It’s nice to have my sister there competing instead of going alone.”

The top 10 athletes in each event advanced to the nationals. Amanda will be competing in four events at nationals. She earned first place in cutting and pole bending, a second place in barrel racing and a third place in goat tying. Amanda also took eighth place in break away roping, but didn’t qualify for nationals in the event. Her high marks earned her first place overall in the state, five buckles and three saddles.

Amanda said that she has had her eye on the overall award all season.

“I’m really excited about winning the overall,” Amanda said. “I barely missed it last year. I was less than 10 points away from the top. This year I set the overall as my goal and I did it.”

Amanda has gone to the state finals each year she has been in high school, and went to nationals in four events last year as well. She finished ninth in the nation in barrel racing.

In addition to the buckles and saddles, Amanda took home around $3,200 in scholarship money at the state finals. She’ll need that money when she heads to Feather River College in Quincy, Calif., in August. Amanda already has a partial rodeo scholarship from the school. She’ll only have a couple weeks off between the national finals and her first day of college rodeo practice.

“I’m going to be busy,” Amanda said. “I won’t have much time off. I’m excited about going to school.

“The Oregon High School Rodeo Association has great scholarship programs. It’s amazing how much money they give out.”

Gus finished in third place in the state with his team roping partner Daniel Ibarra, and 13th place in calf roping. He took second place last year, and was named rookie of the year. However, this year Gus made a strong comeback after missing the first half of the season because of an accident in which he fell off a load of hay and broke his wrists and knee.

He didn’t place at the national finals last year, but said he thinks he’ll improve this year.

“Hopefully I’ll do a lot better this year,” Gus said. “I think I’m more experienced this year so it should go better.”

Jay Kimball competed in team roping at the state finals, but was unable to qualify for nationals.