Mary Gibson wins high school rodeo state championship

While the high school sports season may be over, that does not mean high school level competition is over. Early in June, Havre's own Mary Gibson competed in the State Finals in Great Falls. At the end of the rodeo and the season, Gibson was the 2022 Montana High School Rodeo Association State Champion in goat tying.

"It was a dream come true. I've been working towards that since sixth grade," Gibson said about winning a state title. "My senior year, I finally achieved that goal and it's the best feeling in the world. Hands down."

She finished first in goat tying with 136 total points for the season. At the state finals, Gibson recorded a time of 7.500 to win the event at the rodeo.

Gibson also performed well in many other events at the state finals and through the season. She made the short go, or the top 16, in events such as barrel racing, pole bending and breakaway roping. She finished eighth in the standings in pole bending with 83 total points and she was 14th in breakaway roping with 67 total points for the season. In barrel racing, Gibson finished the year 15th with 66 total points.

Gibson had been competing in rodeo from a young age and has competed in the high school state finals for years. In the last three state finals, Gibson and the other riders competed in Baker before it was moved to Great Falls this season. Through the years, Gibson has appreciated competing in the state finals as well as high school rodeo in general.

"It was amazing. I wouldn't change it for the world," Gibson said. "High school rodeo has done so much for me. It's taught me so much, has made me a million friends and has shaped the person that I am."

However, it has not always been easy sledding for Gibson this season. Two weeks before the state finals this season, she lost her good barrel horse to colic. Without a horse, many friends from across the rodeo scene offered Gibson a horse to borrow. She believed the horse she eventually borrowed was phenomenal as she rode it in barrels and poles, but she was just taken back by all the offers and support she got during that time.

"It really showed me who was really there for me. The rodeo family is just amazing," Gibson said. "I couldn't believe the offers that I had and how many people reached out to me."

The season is not yet done for Gibson as she will next compete in the National High School Finals Rodeo in Gillette, Wyoming next month. Gibson has competed in the last three national finals rodeos, but she is as thrilled as ever to represent Montana as she will compete against the best riders in the country once again.

"I'm really excited. It's going to be a blast down there," Gibson said.