International finals youth rodeo selects 2020 youth directors
(SHAWNEE, Okla.) - The International Finals Youth Rodeo selected six contestants to serve as youth directors for 2020. The IFYR is held annually at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and is the richest youth rodeo in the world, with more than $250,000 in prize money, championship saddles and buckles for contestants to pursue.
The 2020 youth directors are: Kenlee Close, Will Thibodeaux, Lily Crickmar, Abigail Thomas, Clay Stark and Aubrey Lee.
Kenlee Close of College Station, Texas, is the daughter of Ken and Christina Close. She will be a senior in the fall at A&M Consolidated. She competes in barrel racing and goat tying.
Will Thibodeaux of Elmer, Louisiana, is the son of Tim and Penny Thibodeaux. He will be a sophomore in the fall at Oakhill High School. He competes in team roping.
Lily Crickmar of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, is the daughter of David and Rachel Crickmar. She will be a senior in the fall at Mt. Juliet High School. She competes in breakaway roping, barrel racing and team roping.
Abigail Thomas of Elk City, Oklahoma, is the daughter of Josh and Christi Thomas. She will be a senior in the fall at Elk City High School. She competes in breakaway roping and goat tying.
Clay Stark of Bellevue, Texas, is the son of Neal and Dean Stark. He will be a senior in the fall at Bowie High School. He competes in saddle bronc riding and tie down roping.
Aubrey Lee of Vernon, Arkansas, is the daughter of Jim and Nancy Lee. She will be a senior in the fall at Mount Vernon Enola High School. She competes in breakaway roping and goat tying.
Youth directors serve as student representatives of the IFYR and its sponsors not only during rodeo week, but for the entire year. During the rodeo, youth directors meet with contestants and
bring any requests or other information to the IFYR judges and the Expo Center manager.
“We are proud to announce the youth directors selected for next year’s rodeo,” said Stephanie Meiler-Gideon, Interim Director of the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center and International Finals Youth Rodeo. “We know they will be great leaders and representatives for the IFYR and we are looking forward to working with them.”
For more information on the IFYR, please call (405) 275-7020 or visit IFYR.com.
The 2020 youth directors are: Kenlee Close, Will Thibodeaux, Lily Crickmar, Abigail Thomas, Clay Stark and Aubrey Lee.
Kenlee Close of College Station, Texas, is the daughter of Ken and Christina Close. She will be a senior in the fall at A&M Consolidated. She competes in barrel racing and goat tying.
Will Thibodeaux of Elmer, Louisiana, is the son of Tim and Penny Thibodeaux. He will be a sophomore in the fall at Oakhill High School. He competes in team roping.
Lily Crickmar of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, is the daughter of David and Rachel Crickmar. She will be a senior in the fall at Mt. Juliet High School. She competes in breakaway roping, barrel racing and team roping.
Abigail Thomas of Elk City, Oklahoma, is the daughter of Josh and Christi Thomas. She will be a senior in the fall at Elk City High School. She competes in breakaway roping and goat tying.
Clay Stark of Bellevue, Texas, is the son of Neal and Dean Stark. He will be a senior in the fall at Bowie High School. He competes in saddle bronc riding and tie down roping.
Aubrey Lee of Vernon, Arkansas, is the daughter of Jim and Nancy Lee. She will be a senior in the fall at Mount Vernon Enola High School. She competes in breakaway roping and goat tying.
Youth directors serve as student representatives of the IFYR and its sponsors not only during rodeo week, but for the entire year. During the rodeo, youth directors meet with contestants and
bring any requests or other information to the IFYR judges and the Expo Center manager.
“We are proud to announce the youth directors selected for next year’s rodeo,” said Stephanie Meiler-Gideon, Interim Director of the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center and International Finals Youth Rodeo. “We know they will be great leaders and representatives for the IFYR and we are looking forward to working with them.”
For more information on the IFYR, please call (405) 275-7020 or visit IFYR.com.
The International Finals Youth Rodeo, held annually since 1993, is a 501 (c)3 non-profit
organization that presents top high school athletes with a professional rodeo. The internationally-recognized IFYR is held annually at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The action-packed event includes hundreds of contestants vying to win more than $250,000 in prize money, competing in 10 events running simultaneously in three arenas over six days. For more information, visit IFYR.com or call (405) 275-7020.
Photo left to right: The 2020 Youth Directors are pictured left to right: Lily Crickmar, Kenlee Close, Clay Stark, Will Thibodeaux, Abigail Thomas and Aubrey Lee.
Photo courtesy of IFYR/Rodeobum.com
organization that presents top high school athletes with a professional rodeo. The internationally-recognized IFYR is held annually at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The action-packed event includes hundreds of contestants vying to win more than $250,000 in prize money, competing in 10 events running simultaneously in three arenas over six days. For more information, visit IFYR.com or call (405) 275-7020.
Photo left to right: The 2020 Youth Directors are pictured left to right: Lily Crickmar, Kenlee Close, Clay Stark, Will Thibodeaux, Abigail Thomas and Aubrey Lee.
Photo courtesy of IFYR/Rodeobum.com
