Bill Anderson Sports Editor Two former Wewoka graduates have qualified to compete in the College National Championships in Casper, Wyoming in June.

Blake Carter who graduated from Wewoka High School in 2022, and Case Phillips who graduated from Wewoka High School in 2024, have earned their way to the Championships in roping.

Blake Carter has been competing in rodeo events for 13 years and is a student at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant.

Carter has reached the nationals in his Jr. High years and High School years, but this is his first time making regionals in college.

“This is my first time in college making regionals. I feel confident. God has put me in there and I just need to execute,” stated Carter.

Carter also competes in Team Roping but his strongest event is calf roping.

Case Phillps who recently graduated from High School has been competing for 11 years and is a Freshman at Murray State College in Tishomingo.

Phillips has also reached nationals in his Jr, High and High School years.

Phillips strongest event is team roping. His most recent teammates have been Payton Rawls of Wewoka and Caleb Miller of Pauls Valley.

“My goal was to make the College Finals my Freshman year and I won the Region,” stated Phillips.

Case will pair up with Rowdy Jones from Atoka in the College finals.

The dynamic duo leave for Wyoming June 11th with a few stops in Woodward and Ponce City to compete before heading to Casper, Wyoming for the Nationals. The event will take place at the Ford Wyoming Center, where over 400 collegiate rodeo athletes will compete for national titles in various events like bareback riding, bull riding, and barrel racing. The CNFR is sanctioned by the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA). Good luck Tigers.