Top U.S. Juniors to decide nation’s best steer wrestler

The U.S. Junior Steer Wrestling Championship and Leon Bauerle Cowboy Reunion is heading to Marble Falls.

The event, hosted by The Gunner Thames Foundation, is Sunday, Oct. 9, at the Charley Taylor Arena, 3053 U.S. 281 in Marble Falls, and allows young men not older than 19 years old the opportunity to determine who is the best Junior Steer Wrestler in the nation.

The Gunner Thames Memorial Foundation, created by John Thames to honor his 15-year-old son, who died Sept. 9, 2011 from a tragic steer wrestling event. The foundation helps families, other Cowboys and organizations devoted to agriculture and the cowboy way of life. The Gunner Thames Memorial Rodeo is held annually at the Chester Franklin Rodeo Arena at Wimberley VFW Post 6441.

“I’ve known John for more than 40 years,” Todd Fox, who was a professional rodeo athlete for 12 years, said. “They pay out more than $100,000 a year to scholarships, Future Farmers of America and 4H. They do so many great things in Hays County.”

This marks the second year for the U.S. Junior Steer Wrestling Championship. The first was in Wimberley and was won by Clay Clayman, who is too old to compete in 2022.

“I want to move this to a different location every year,” Fox said. “I want to give different people an opportunity to see this and witness this. These young men are far better than we were when we were their age. When we were growing up, we got to go to Marble Falls, Burnet and Llano rodeos and many in San Antonio, but that was all the rodeos. We learned by trial and error.”

Fox said the atmosphere is welcoming and friendly with contestants and audience members who love what is great about rodeo.

“This is a backyard barbecue gathering,” he said. “It’s a reason for everybody to come together and see one another. These kids are amazing – their skills are incredible.”

Go to usjsw.com for more information.