Eclectic Interests Among Contestants

You're bound to have a variety of interests among 1,375 teenagers.

The media bio sheet on the National High School Finals Rodeo reveals just that.

Some of them are funny.

Royce Johnson, of Nemaha, Neb., "likes Dodge trucks."

Others make you question the effort level at the registration table. Several people "enjoy rodeo." Shocker, especially at the national championships.

Some Canadians like hockey, some Colorado residents like to snowboard and those from Australia are keen on rugby.

Acceptable alternative hobbies seem to include hunting, fishing, anything mechanical and sports like football/hockey/wrestling.

Here are a few of the most interesting:

Jud Elkington, Rigby, Idaho -- Eagle Scout, professional fiddler
Kaylie Schall, Rigby, Idaho -- Semi-pro race car driver, amateur tattoo artist, basketball player, snowboarder
Mariah Rys-Sikora, Missoula, Mont. -- 2009 State Expository Speaking champ, certified life guard, enjoys debate, director of 4-H summer camps
Jade Wolfe, Wenatchee, Wash. -- Ski racing, reading, camping, hunting, gathering cows, giving horse riding lessons, long boarding, literature and acupuncture