Cowboy Up
Son of KHS Educator makes big news in the world of Rodeo

by Clint Dick

Rodeo has often been referred to as the most dangerous and physically demanding sport in the world. Of the seven major events in rodeo, one stands out as not only the most popular, but also the most life-threatening. For many years the world has been entertained by the sport of bull riding. It has been called "the most dangerous eight seconds in sports," and there has been good reason for that saying, but despite the risk involved great athletes come out of the sport. Names like Jim Shoulders, Larry Mahan, and Don Gay are amongst the number of legends that have a place today in the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colorado. What some people don’t know is that there is another great athlete making a name for himself in the world of bull riding, and he comes from the small town of Zenda, Kansas.

Cooper Kanngiesser, son of KHS Para-educator Cheryl Kanngiesser, has been on the rodeo trail for quite some time now and has been making news in some of the biggest rodeos in the world for the past three years. He first joined the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) in 2005 and finished his rookie season ranked 26th in the world standings for bull riding. The very next year, he earned $89,793 and qualified for the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas, Nevada. Kanngiesser finished 12th in the world in ‘06. His major highlight in 2007 was his outstanding 1st place finish at the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Pocatello, Idaho, and this year Kanngiesser currently stands 3rd in the PRCA Prairie Circuit standings, and 2nd in the world standings in the CBR (Championship Bull Riding). With a shot to win the CBR world title, it should be exciting to see what happens as the CBR Finals comes up January 23-24.

"It has always been Cooper’s dream to be a bull rider," stated Cheryl Kanngiesser when asked about her thoughts on her son’s profession. "Although I was less than thrilled with his dream, I’ve always supported him in his pursuit of it. His success has provided him with so many opportunities that he would have been unable to experience otherwise."