‘Yeehaw!’

Area teens are ready for rodeo competition at state Farm Show

By MAUREEN ACQUINO - For the Sun-Gazette
LOCK HAVEN — Locals no doubt will shout “Yee-haw!” in support of three area teens who will compete in the arena at the 2008 Pennsylvania Farm Show on Saturday.

And if they can’t be there in person, rodeo enthusiasts can rope in the big show via statewide TV. The rodeo will be aired live on the Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday.

The trio of area high schoolers — Ashley Derr of Linden, Tyler Waltz of Jersey Shore and Brent Phillips of Beech Creek — will compete at the Pennsylvania High School Rodeo Championships.

Ashley Derr, 15, is competing in poles, goat tying and barrels events.

The daughter of Wanda and Ernest Derr of Linden, she is a freshman at Jersey Shore High School and this is her first year competing at the Farm Show.

Tyler Waltz, 17, is a junior at Jersey Shore High School.

The son of Cindy and David Waltz of Jersey Shore, Waltz competes on bareback, bull riding, steer wrestling and calf roping.

Brent Phillips, 16, is a junior in the Pennsylvania Charter Cyber School, and will compete in calf roping and team roping.

This is Phillips’ second year competing at the Farm Show. He also has competed in the Keystone Junior Rodeo for two years and was champion in calf roping, break away and team roping.

The son of Carl and Kim Phillips of Beech Creek, he is following in the footsteps of his sister April. April, 19, also competed at the Farm Show and is now a student at Weatherford College in Texas, studying equine science and business.

Waltz and Phillips were named to the Wrangler High School All-Star Rodeo Team for 2007-08. Eligibility is based on athletic ability, leadership qualities and school academic achievement.

More than 100 youth will compete for cash prizes during the competition in the large arena. The rodeo is scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. and again at 5 p.m. Saturday.

The 92nd annual Farm Show opens on Saturday and continues through Jan. 12 at the Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. Hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily except Jan. 12, when exhibits and the food court close at 5 p.m.

There is no admission fee to the complex or to any of the exhibits and competitions.