The International Finals Youth Rodeo selected six competitors to serve as youth directors for the 2018 event. The chosen individuals were announced during the 2017 IFYR, which kicked off July 9 and concluded the evening of July 14 at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center, 1700 W. Independence, in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The IFYR is the richest youth rodeo in the world, with more than $250,000 in prize money, championship saddles and buckles for contestants to pursue.
The 2018 youth directors are: Kelsey Cadwell of Oakdale, along with Tatum Nelson of Alvarado, Texas; Haley Polk from Prattville, Alabama; Garrett Guillot of Fitzpatrick, Alabama; Garret Golliher of Stoutland, Missouri; and Aly Ghormley of Madisonville, Texas.
Kelsey Cadwell of Oakdale is the 16-year-old daughter of Travis and Tiffany Cadwell. She will be a junior in the fall at Oakdale High School. She competes in barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, breakaway roping and team roping.
Tatum Nelson of Alvarado, Texas, is the 17-year-old daughter of Brian and Tito Nelson. She will be a senior in the fall at White Horse Christian Academy. She competes in barrel racing, pole bending and breakaway roping.
Haley Polk of Prattville, Alabama, is the 17-year-old daughter of Paul and Brandy Frady. She will be a senior in the fall at Chapman Christian Academy. She competes in barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying and breakaway roping.
Garrett Guillot of Fitzpatrick, Alabama, is the 16-year-old son of Jennifer Tompkins. He will be a junior in the fall at Success Unlimited. He competes in steer wrestling.
Garrett Golliher of Stoutland, Missouri, is the 17-year-old son of Randy and Veronica Golliher. He will be a senior in the fall at Camdenton High School. He competes in saddle bronc riding and bull riding.
Aly Ghormley of Madisonville, Texas, is the 15-year-old daughter of Mike and Pam Ghormley. She will be a junior in the fall at Madisonville High School. She competes in barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying and breakaway roping.
Youth directors serve as student representatives of the IFYR and its sponsors not only during rodeo week, but for the entire year. During the rodeo, youth directors meet with contestants and bring any requests, complaints or other information to the IFYR judges and the Expo Center manager.
“We are proud to announce the youth directors selected for next year’s rodeo,” said Chris Dunlap, Assistant Director of the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center and International Finals Youth Rodeo. “These young competitors fill an important role for the IFYR and we are looking forward to working with them.”
The International Finals Youth Rodeo, held annually since 1993, is a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization that presents top high school athletes with a professional rodeo. The internationally-recognized IFYR is held annually at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The action-packed event includes hundreds of contestants vying to win more than $250,000 in prize money, competing in 10 events running simultaneously in three arenas over six days. In 2016, more than 920 contestants and their families traveled from 34 states to participate in the IFYR. For more information, visit IFYR.com or call (405) 275-7020.
