NewsAthleticsUpper SchoolStudent LifeService
Senior scores high in PCA finals
Jan 19, 2006 2:39 PM
By Tannika King - Faculty
After traveling to Biloxi, Miss., to watch the Professional Cowboys Association (PCA) finals in 2004, senior Mary Owens decided it was her goal to qualify for the 2005 competition.
“To make the finals, you have to be in the top 15 money earners for your event, which, in my case, was breakaway roping,” said Owens. “The competitors come from all over the Southeast.”
To prepare, Owens worked with her horses every day, and took roping lessons at the Lighting P Ranch in Resaca. Ranked No. 10 upon entering the PCA finals, which took place Jan. 5-8 in Philadelphia, Miss., Owens was the youngest competitor and the only high school student to qualify in breakaway roping. She competed four times during the four-day period, catching in all events, winning once, and placing once. Her finish put her second in the average and moved her up from No. 10 to No. 4 in the overall standings for breakaway roping.
“I was happy with the way I roped at the finals,” said Owens, who garnered over $2,400 in winnings from the PCA finals. “Moving up the standings gave me a real feeling of accomplishment.”
The 2006 season has already begun for Owens, who also competes with the National High School Rodeo Association, the Georgia High School Rodeo Association, the National Cowboys Association and the National Barrel Horse Association.
Owens is the daughter of Jim and Linda Owens of Rome.
“To make the finals, you have to be in the top 15 money earners for your event, which, in my case, was breakaway roping,” said Owens. “The competitors come from all over the Southeast.”
To prepare, Owens worked with her horses every day, and took roping lessons at the Lighting P Ranch in Resaca. Ranked No. 10 upon entering the PCA finals, which took place Jan. 5-8 in Philadelphia, Miss., Owens was the youngest competitor and the only high school student to qualify in breakaway roping. She competed four times during the four-day period, catching in all events, winning once, and placing once. Her finish put her second in the average and moved her up from No. 10 to No. 4 in the overall standings for breakaway roping.
“I was happy with the way I roped at the finals,” said Owens, who garnered over $2,400 in winnings from the PCA finals. “Moving up the standings gave me a real feeling of accomplishment.”
The 2006 season has already begun for Owens, who also competes with the National High School Rodeo Association, the Georgia High School Rodeo Association, the National Cowboys Association and the National Barrel Horse Association.
Owens is the daughter of Jim and Linda Owens of Rome.
