Bloomington High School North, Nikean, 2009, Page 62

Description:	£4ln high school rodeos,everyone has eachothers back and wehelp each other out.Junior Justin Lampkins (pictured right) started bull ridingabout two years ago when a friend, Danny Clark, bet him $50that he wouldnt ride a bull. When he said he would, Clarkpaid the $150 entry fee for a bull riding competition and whenLampkins came in first place he was $50 richer plus the $1,500awarded as his prize for placing. He is now ranked second inthe state and ninth in the nation. Along with riding bulls, Lampkins has been riding broncos for roughly three months.Its more of a mind game rather than strength because youdont need to be strong, Lampkins said. You just have to focus.Lampkins trains three to five times a week by riding a mechanical bull for an hour at a time.You dont train for a long time because its really tiring... itsa constant motion that wears you out pretty fast, Lampkins said.Lampkins believes he is better at riding bulls because he hasmore experience with them, but he likes riding broncos morebecause, if you can ride a bronc, you can ride anything.While training may seem simple, the actual experience ofriding is a different story thats full of emotion. For Lampkins itis frightening just knowing that an average of 20 people dieevery year from riding bulls — bulls that weigh thousands ofpounds. He has ridden bulls that weigh 2,200 to 3,600 pounds.Lampkins has had his fair share of injuries himself from beingthrown around, trampled, and horned. He has broken nine ribs,dislocated his shoulder, had a disk put in his back, and sliced hislung along with several other injuries.Its not a matter of if youre going to be hurt, its when andhow bad it will be, Lampkins said.Before he rides, Lampkins listens to the music and drowns outthe noise around him. He gets ready about 45 minutes beforehe is scheduled to ride, and it takes him about a half an hourto put on all his gear. He never watches the rider before himbecause if that person gets hurt, then it freaks you out and getsyou scared. His routine also includes chewing a piece of gumbefore his turn and when hes up, he sticks it on the hump of thebulls back. The hump tells him which way the bull is going tomove next, so he watches the gum until the eight seconds is upand the buzzer rings.The farthest places Lampkins has traveled for rodeos areNew Mexico for National World Finals and Canada. He hopesto travel around the world competing to accomplish his goal ofbecoming a professional bull rider. Lampkins has been signed totravel for Wrangler and U.S. Rodeo Supplies this summer andwill be participating in rodeos all over the nation.In high school rodeos, everyone has each others back and wehelp each other out, Lampkins said. But when you get to theprofessional level, youre on your own.story and photos by EmilyCouperd 62 □ athletic recreation n
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-bloomnorth/id/6838
Collection:	Bloomington High School North

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