Rodeo: A family affair for the Hajnys
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September 9, 2021
Wyatt Hajny and Josie Hajny both compete in Nebraska High School rodeo: Wyatt in steer wrestling and Josie in break-away roping. They also team rope together.
Saturday was the annual high school rodeo held at the Nuckolls County Fairgrounds. I like youngsters and rodeo, so this is one of my favorite events to attend. This year I was able to meet with a couple of the local competitors, Wyatt and Josie Hajny. They were fun to talk to and respectful. Interviewing teenagers is a bit tricky. I never know what to ask, and they don't ad lib all that much. I enjoyed speaking with each of them.
Wyatt Hajny, a junior at Lawrence Nelson High school, has competed in rodeo-type events since he was around 10 years old. His favorite event to compete in is steer wrestling. Wyatt said he loves rodeo and that it's "kind of a rush." It's a lot of fun doing what you love." He also said, " Rodeo isn't just something you wake up one day and decide to do. You must have a passion for it. It takes commitment, and you gotta want it."
In school, his favorite subject is history. Wyatt is an active member of the FCA, FFA, and 4-H clubs. He is a member of the football team as well as the golf team. Wyatt plans to go to college after high school and take welding.
Josie Hajny, Wyatt's younger sister, is a freshman at Lawrence-Nelson High School. Her favorite rodeo event is the team roping. She heads, and her brother is the healer. Josie started roping in sixth grade. She said the most challenging part of rodeo is fixing a habit.
Josie's favorite subject in school is algebra. She is a member of the FCA, FFA, and Roughriders 4-H club. She enjoys fishing, hunting and, of course, riding and roping! She values time with family and friends and hopes to become a large animal veterinarian.
Rodeo is a big part of life for the Hajny family. Wyatt and Josie's parents, Jarrod and Lacey, are supportive. Unlike other high school sports, there are no practices to attend, and it is left solely to the competitors to practice on their own time. The family travels to events every weekend in the spring and fall. On top of that, the two teens practice two to three times a week for the next rodeo.
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