Ephraim, UT – January 12, 2016 – Shawnee Sagers, a member of the Snow College Rodeo Team, was announced as a top 10 finalist in the running for the Fan Vote Exemption for RFD-TV's The American.
Shawnee, from Moroni, Utah is currently a sophomore at Snow College and has excelled in Rodeo Competition. She qualified for the Utah High School State Finals all four years, for the Silver State International Rodeo all four years and the National High School Finals Rodeo once. She also qualified for the National Little Britches Finals Rodeo eleven times, won two national titles, held several positions on the NLBRA Executive Board, was the 2014 National Little Britches Rodeo Queen and finished the 2015 season fourth in the world in barrel racing. In the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association she is currently 7th in the Region in barrel racing and 3rd in goat tying for the Rocky Mountain Region all while maintaining her status as an honor student. She is in the running with nine other competitors to earn the 'fan vote exemption' based on number of votes submitted in RFD-TV's website, with the winner earning the opportunity to compete.
RFD-TV’s The American, presented by Polaris RANGER ® will be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on February 28th. Some of the toughest competitors in the world will ride away with the most significant one-day cash payout ever awarded. Top qualifiers will compete for a total of $2,000,000, each event will pay $100,000 for first and $25,000 for second. There will be a $1,000,000 side pot for the qualifiers and if a qualifying athlete can win his or her event, beating out the best in the world, they will be entitled to a share of the $1,000,000.
There are three ways to qualify for competition in The American. The top 10 contestants in the world receive automatic invitations. Additionally, a handful of exemptions are offered to the brightest rising stars and retired Hall-of-Famers in the sport. And finally, hopeful contestants can pay an entry fee to compete at “qualifiers” throughout the year sanctioned by Better Barrel Races, Professional Bull Riders, Ultimate Calf Roping and United States Team Roping Championships. Shawnee, would receive one of the exemptions mentioned if she is able to get enough votes to surpass the other finalists.
“We are very excited to support Shawnee in this competition.” Said Snow College Athletic Director Rob Nielson, “she is a great representative for our Rodeo Team and for Snow College. We wish her the best of luck and hope that everyone will join in voting for her.”
For more information on RFD-TV’s The American please visit www.rfdtv.com/theamerican.
