BY CORA TASSET
Austin Lampe, a junior at Fort Hays State University and member of the rodeo team, qualified for the United States Team Roping Championship held last weekend. After winning the shootout spot in Peabody, KS Sept. 6, Lampe competed in Fort Worth, Texas last Wednesday and Thursday at nationals where he finished 3rd in the 11.5 Shootout with a time of 34.93 on 4.
“I roped the four steers they gave me the best I could,” Lampe said. “I was excited when I qualified for the U.S. Team Roping; I went to the same roping last year and had a good week.”
Last year Lampe placed 5th in the 10.5 Ram Bonus with a time of 37.67 on 4.
His path to roping began when he was eight years old, thanks to his grandpa Darlow.
“My grandpa has always had some horses around and it was something I wanted to try out,” Lampe said.
He started competing in Young Guns in 2015, doing calf roping and team roping. Austin started to focus on team roping as he competed better in that event.
“I really was not athletic enough to calf rope so I decided to focus on team roping,” Lampe said.
After Young Guns he went to Dodge City Community College and majored in Ag Business while competing on the DC3 Rodeo Team. After DC3 Lampe chose to attend FHSU and team rope on the rodeo team.
He is ready for the FHSU Rodeo season to start, but is not too worried about COVID affecting the season.
“I’m ready for it, but if COVID stops it I won’t be too upset,” Lampe said. “I’m trying to get another horse so it won’t bother me getting more time to get used to a new one.”
If COVID permits, FHSU Rodeo is competing in Hays April 16-18, at the Doug Philip Arena located on the Golf Course Road, a half mile west of U.S. Highway 183.