Two of the best area high school rodeo competitors who have found success at the college level, one making her last go and the other just kicking off her college career, will be making their first trip to the College National Finals Rodeo, today through next Saturday at the Casper Events Center in Casper, Wyo.

Italy Jo Sheehan (formerly Eames) of Gooding won four all-around titles while competing in District V, and Cassie Vierstra of Twin Falls, who was a member of the Filer Rodeo Team, won reserve and top rookie her freshman year followed by three all-around titles in District VI.

Both cowgirls left the Magic Valley when they graduated from high school. Sheehan decided on the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and Vierstra chose a–Texas school, South Plains College.

After two years at UNLV, Sheehan transferred to the College of Southern Idaho last fall when she was offered a nursing scholarship.

"I needed a real job to support my rodeo hobby," said Sheehan, who is a professional barrel racer in the summer.

Sheehan was the top barrel racer in the Rocky Mountain Region and was third in the national standings. At nationals, she will compete in barrel racing, breakaway roping and goat tying.

"Even though you have no control at all in the draw, I still have to rope smart, tie fast and run fast. But I'm going for it since this is my last chance," Sheehan said.

Sheehan has practiced hard and worked on her roping. She believes she is getting better because of all the people "putting me together. And my horses, Darby, Popeye and Walker are ready."

Because she will compete in three events, Sheehan has a shot at the overall title.

"I can be competitive but it all has to come together," she said.

There are five other members of the CSI Rodeo Team who will join Sheehan at the CNFR. Zack Elliott of Thatcher, Utah competes in bull riding after finishing fourth in the national standings.

Alex Wright of Milford, Utah will vie in saddle bronc and Drew Hummel of Nampa will compete in calf roping after each placed second in the region in their respective events.–

Competing in breakaway roping will be–Lacey England of Leadore, who was fourth in the final standings in the region, and Jackie Smith of Bear Lake, who placed 12th.

Vierstra, a 19-year old freshman, feels she made the best decision going to SPC.

"I think it is the best school anyone could go to," said Vierstra. "The coaches and the facilities are awesome and we are all good friends on the rodeo team. One of my goals was to get better at roping. I've had people help me to rope and I think I am a heck of a lot better than I use to be. And I get to help my teammates in goats."

SPC competes in the Southwest Region and Vierstra believes the competition at nationals "can't be much tougher than it was in our region." She and her horse, Bunny, will represent SPC in goat tying after finishing in the top spot in the event for the region.

Vierstra loves the competition between competitors and feels lucky that she has had the opportunity to be involved in rodeo.

"From the time when I was 9 until about 14 or 15, I started out helping clear cows out of the arena," Vierstra said. "I always looked forward to high school rodeo and it went by real fast. Then I planned on being involved in college rodeo. Everyone that competes in college rodeo is after the same thing, to qualify for nationals in Casper, Wyoming."

All performances begin at 7 p.m. including the Saturday Championship Round.

Slack will be held on Monday and Tuesday at 7 a.m.