Steering toward state

Two-time District 3 all-around champion Josh Garner of Live Oak returns to the California High School State Finals Rodeo as the defending steer wrestling champion, while Michael Diaz of Woodland and Daniel Rice of Clements look to defend their cutting championships.

They are three of 34 individuals in 12 events who will compete for District 3 at the finals in Bishop on June 15-22.

Garner likes his chances of winning another silver championship buckle, but also has his eye on becoming the fifth state all-around champion out of District 3 — and only the second boy.

Rex Phillips of Folsom won the state all-around in 1983. The three girls champions are Kathy Semas of Auburn in the first season of high school rodeo in California (1972), Donna Spitzer of Lincoln in 1984 and Linsay Rosser of Wheatland in 2001.

"Hopefully I can do good in all of my events and win another event championship," said Garner. "And I think I should have a pretty good shot at the state all-around."

Garner has added bull riding to his repertoire this year, giving him five events in which to accumulate points.

Right now Garner is practicing his bull riding once a week with contractor Steve Fox in Vina.

Garner is doing double duties at the ranch, also acting as bull fighter for the other riders who are practicing with Fox's young stock.

Combine that with his steer wrestling and tie-down roping schedules, and injury becomes a concern even before the start of the state finals.

"You don't want to bang yourself up," said Garner, who also has started his own bucking bull breeding program, and is pretty high on a couple of his younger bulls.

But those interests are taking a back seat to the preparation for Bishop.

While Garner has to go into the event as District 3's best hope for an all-around title, Garner said he is not the only local cowboy who could challenge for it.

Rice chased Garner right down to the final district rodeo before conceding to reserve champion status.

He has qualified in four events and has a strong chance of winning an event championship, although he enters the boys' cutting competition in second to District 3 champion Tommy Diaz, the 2006 state champion.

The Diaz family, in fact, has three state cutting championships in the last eight years. Older sister, Jordan Diaz, won the first of those in 2000.

Michael Diaz is the defending girls cutting champion, but goes to the event on a different horse.

"It is a bit of a struggle this year because I lost the horse I won on last year. So I have to work a little harder at it. He is a lot more temperamental and harder to get along with," said Diaz, adding, however, her own skills as a rider have improved so her confidence is up.

"(Being the defending champion) makes you more confident in a way ... But also, because I have won it, I would hate not to win it," said Diaz, who has been working with her horse for about a year.

Tommy Diaz, who is one year older than his sister, certainly understands that pressure, though he said he really doesn't buy into the concept.

He went into last year's competition as the defending champion, and ended up having a tough time in the championship round, known as the short-go.

Diaz goes to Bishop on the horse with which he won his title.

"It gives you confidence ... but I'm always confident going into State," Diaz said. "But it always gets harder down there. .. But I would like to win it. It would be nice to have (the championship) again."

Michael Diaz said she and her brother kid around with each other, and bet the odd soda from time to time.

"But mostly we just try to support each other," she said. The other District 3 competitor who is in the running for all-around champion could be Chant DeForest of Wheatland.

He too is entered in four events, including tie-down roping, where he stands as District 3 champion.

Garner said DeForest's skill in roping calves is so good that he would not be surprised in the least if he won the state championship in the event.

That could help push him toward the all-around.

"He has a real chance," Garner said.

The District 3 all-around girls champion is Haley Brum of Galt. She will compete in three events, and is the district champion in barrel racing and breakaway roping. She was second in goat tying.

Ropin’ and Ridin

’DISTRICT 3 STATE RODEO CHAMPIONS

ALL-AROUND

BOYS

1983: Rex Phillips, Folsom

GIRLS

2001: Linsay Rosser, Wheatland

1984: Donna Spitzer, Lincoln

1972: Kathy Semas, Auburn

BAREBACK

2000: Travis Kevie, Newcastle

1998: Ryan Hochstrat, Browns Valley

1995: Jacob Sperbeck, Yuba City

1986: Bob Malone, Smartville

1980: Greg Rhodes, Newcastle

BARREL RACING

2007: Kaitlin Wise, Acampo

1977: Margie Glore, Rough & Ready

1972: Kathy Semas, Auburn

BULL RIDING

2000: Pete Uhalde, Lincoln

1985: Aaron Semas, Auburn

BREAKAWAY ROPING

1972: Kathy Semas, Auburn

CALF ROPING

1997: Levi Rosser, Wheatland

1983: Steve Rudd, Fairfield

1975: Danny Carruth, Fairfield

CUTTING-BOYS

2007: Daniel Rice, Clements

2006: Tommy Diaz, Woodland

2001: Russell Criner, Esparto

1988: Randy Albright, Auburn

CUTTING-GIRLS

2007: Michael Diaz, Woodland

2000: Jordan Diaz, Woodland

1998: Kristen Ingersoll, Lincoln

1993 Rebekah Mount, Shingle Springs

1992: Colleen Albright, Auburn

1991: Colleen Albright, Auburn

1972: Cindy Rosser, Marysville

GOAT TYING

2001: Linsay Rosser, Wheatland

2000: Linsay Rosser, Wheatland

POLE BENDING

1986: Angie Curtis, Lincoln

SADDLE BRONC

1988: Eric Mikaelsen, Auburn

STEER WRESTLING

2007: Josh Garner, Live Oak

1994: Jared Schneider, Sloughouse

1984: Scott Rudd, Fairfield

1983: Alan Reiff, Woodland

TEAM ROPING

1980: Ted Williams/Dan Williams, Newcastle

QUEEN

1997: Sarah Williams, Plymouth

1996: Jamie Tilton, Orangeville

1989: Rayda Ward, Shingle Springs

1987: Sugar Sneed, Vinton

1981: Karyl Erickson, Penn Valley