TORRINGTON – Brenna Herring is going stay close to home.
The Southeast High School senior chose to continue her education and rodeo career for Whit Peterson at Eastern Wyoming College next fall.
Herring was an accomplished basketball and volleyball player. She was a three-time all-state player for the Lady Cyclone basketball team and was a two-time all-state player for the Southeast volleyball team.
Herring was torn between basketball and rodeo, but in the end, the decision to rodeo won out because of the lasting friendships made while at the rodeos.
“It was a toss-up between basketball and rodeo,” Herring said. “Somedays, I’m not sure why I landed on one over the other, but I really enjoy rodeo. You have great teammates in basketball, but everybody you meet at a rodeo is going to be your friend. It’s just one big community.”
The decision to stay close to home was easy because of connections Herring has had her entire life and being able to stay close to her family.
“It’ll be really nice because I have a lot of great people who I’ve known my whole life,” Herring said. “I have a great place to keep my horse which is closer than my house. The lady that is letting me do it is one of my favorite people. I really enjoy the rodeo coach, and I get to stay close to my mom.”
Herring had multiple options as far colleges go.
“I was looking at places like Gillette, Sheridan and other jucos that I could rodeo at, but out of all the places, this one fit the best because I really like the coach,” she said. “He offered me a full ride, and it’s more angled towards what I want to do school-wise.”
Herring will compete in breakaway and team roping, along with barrel race her freshman year. If things go well in barrel racing she will continue, but if not, she will focus on the roping events going into her second year.
Herring plans to purse a career as a veterinarian. While at Eastern Wyoming, she’ll study animal science and biology to cover the prerequisites before going to a four-year school to finish her undergraduate. Once done there she will apply to vet school.
“I’ve known Brenna, Marnie, Crockett and Bodie all of my life. Crockett was a big inspiration to me. Marnie has really helped me out me out when I was competing in rodeo and sports. I’ve gone out to their place and practiced with them. It’s a close relationship, and I’m excited to get her to come here,” Peterson said. “She’s competitive. She’s an athlete. She’s going to be well mounted with a really good horse in all the events she’s going to do. She’s a well-rounded rodeo athlete and a 4.0 student. You don’t find that a lot in rodeo. I won’t have to worry about her in the classroom.”
The Wyoming High School Rodeo Association resumes its season April 14-16 in the Laramie.
