Hawaii’s Jeremiah Lyman-Palakiko Finishes in Top 10 of National Rodeo Competition

Jeremiah Lyman Palakiko of Hawaii traveled with 17 other Hawaii high school students to compete in the National Junior High School Finals Rodeo (NJHSFR) in Des Moines, Iowa.

Lyman-Palakiko, an eighth grader, competed against more than 200 others in the Chute Dogging competition.

The Hawaii native had the 7th best average score in all of his heats, placing 7th overall in the event.

“I was proud of myself and I felt good,” Lyman-Palakiko said.

The 14-year-old’s average was 12.62 seconds, just 3 seconds behind first place. After his final race, his friends and family were quick to celebrate with him.

“They were happy, they were proud of me. And I have to thank them too, because without them I wouldn’t be here,” Lyman-Palakiko said.

He is not the only one in his family to compete at the national level. His grandfather Rob Lyman competed in the NHSFR when Hawaii first competed at the national level.