They've been competing in over 60 events throughout spring and fall each high school year with stellar results. In girls' cutting, Thacker edged out Johnson this past season to finish one-two in state.

"[Thacker's] great at what she does in regards to rodeo," Johnson said. "She competes in almost every event a girl can do. And that comes from her family, which is very much rodeo-oriented."

The duo teamed up along with other Utahns last month in the National High School Finals Rodeo competition in Springfield, Ill. Even though Johnson and Thacker said it wasn't their best cutting performances (Johnson finished 37th; Thacker 50th) both remain satisfied with Utah's championship finish over runner-up and fierce rival Texas in team competition.

Said Thacker: "Texas is always tough to beat in these competitions, it seems that we're always finishing first and second against each other. But the strong finish I think shows the kind of character [Utah] possesses within its rodeo competitors.

"Individually it just happened to be an off day. . . I performed good but basically screwed up, at times."

Thacker fared much better in breakaway roping - finishing 13th with a score of 3.448.

Johnson and Thacker have been anything but screw-ups in their Utah rodeo work. Both belong to the Double D High School Rodeo Club in West Bountiful. Johnson is a six-time NCHA Western Nationals qualifier and current Amateur Rider leader with $10,000. But she also spends her time attending college courses at Weber State to become certified nursing assistant.

"I've always liked helping people and that's why I've thought about going into nursing," she said. "I worked at Primary Children's Hospital in the summer of 2006 doing crafts and helping with the kids."

Like Johnson, Thacker got roped into the medical field where earlier this year earned her CNA degree from the Davis Applied Technology Center.

"It's funny because I'm not even a school person," Thacker said. "But I know I need to attend a university and right now I've received full-scholarship offers from Weber State, Salt Lake Community College, and the University of Texas. But I'm not ready to move away from home just yet and am leaning towards Ogden."

Thacker has the credentials to be a solid rodeo contender at the next level. Competing in five events (breakaway, cutting, goat tying, barrel racing, and pole bending), she's earned over 100 trophy buckles, five trophy saddles, numerous NHSRA and UHSRA honors, and was named Utah's 2007 all-around cowgirl at the prep level.

The most challenging part of rodeo for these young riders isn't necessarily the competition. Rather, it's the finances for entrance and other required fees that event holders require.

"I've taken the responsibility to pay my own way for events and not having to rely on my parents for financial help. We all carry our own weight in my family. I teach a lot of riding lessons, showings (farm animals), and I help with handicapped children. I don't have a lot of free time and that's why I stopped cheerleading my senior year."

Johnson has the same attitude as she balances time with her job at Bed, Bath, and Beyond in Salt Lake and hitting the books.

"All you can do is keep going and pursuing your dreams," Johnson said.

Other notable Utah finishers

All-around cowboy - 1. Rhen Richard, Roosevelt. Bareback riding - 1. Caleb Bennett, Morgan.

Saddle bronc - 1. Jake Wright, Milford.

All-around rookie cowboy - 4. Zane Mendenhall, Alpine.

National champions

* Utah wins the overall team standings at the National High School Finals Rodeo in Springfield, Ill., held July 22-28.

* Brinn Johnson and Chalis Thacker finished one and two in state this year in girls' cutting.