“I can talk in just a bit, please wait while I finish unsaddling my horse.”
Near dark, Logan Wiseman had just roped and tied four calves in typical practice runs at his Paola home arena.
Such dedication was rewarded when the teenager was reserve champion calf roper in the Kansas High School Rodeo Association (KHSRA).
“We were planning to go steer wrestle over at a neighbors tonight, but rain made it too muddy,” Wiseman said. “Fortunately, with our indoor arena we can practice whatever the conditions. But, we don’t have steers now, so I roped calves.”
It’s a regular regime perfecting Wiseman’s rodeo arena skills with those events and also as a team roping heeler.
“We practice every day, not always roping and bulldogging, maybe one or the other, sometimes both,” he assured.
Climaxing the KHSRA Finals at the Star Arena in Mulvane, Wiseman won the steer wrestling event for the year.
With calf roping and team roping points added in, the arena athlete was named all-around champion cowboy for the year.
He’ll be wrestling steers and tying calves at the National High School Rodeo Finals, July 15-21, in Rock Springs, Wyoming.
“This is my third year qualifying for the national finals in both events. I’d hoped to make it in team roping this time, but the state finals just didn’t pan out,” Wiseman said.
“I’ve had some good runs at the nationals, but now’s my last shot to win. I’ll really be working hard to get ready,” the cowboy verified.
Closely involved in the sport of rodeo all of his life, both Wiseman’s grandpa Larry and dad Kevin are ropers.
“Grandpa doesn’t compete anymore, but he’s a strong supporter for me,” Wiseman appreciated. “Dad was the state champion steer wrestler in high school. He still regularly competes and wins in both roping and bulldogging.”
Who’s fastest Dad or son? “Dad won his roping division the other day, but I beat him by one-tenth of a second that time. It’s not often that way. Dad sure is a great roper,” Wiseman credited.
Despite strong rodeo heritage, the teenager had other sport inclinations earlier. “I played football in the third and fourth grade, but then had to make a decision rodeo or football. Of course, I chose rodeo, and it’ll always be my sport,” Wiseman verified.
Horsepower is essential ingredient of a timed event champion. “I’m fortunate to have a great team of horses for both roping events and steer wrestling. We take four horses to all of the rodeos,” Wiseman said.
For tie-down, the cowboy rides a 14-year-old sorrel gelding called Playboy. “I’ve had him about a year-and-a-half, and he’s really consistent.” Wiseman acknowledged. “It’s a constant effort to be mounted on a top horse.”
Practice is essential for a champion cowboy, but a seasoned rope horse can’t be overworked. “Playboy knows his job, and does it, so I have to have other horses for my practice runs,” Wiseman noted.
A bay gelding called Otis is called into the practice pen and also serves as a heeling horse.
The hazing horse is as important as the bulldogging horse to win the steer wrestling. “We have a great team of horses that we haul to all of the rodeos. Dad is my hazer, and my coach, too,” Wiseman said.
So, what are the best times for a high school champion cowboy? “I’ve tied a calf in 7.8 seconds, and had a 4.5 seconds run in steer wrestling,” Wiseman said. “Not all runs are like that for sure, but those times would generally place at a rodeo.”
The recent honor graduate of Paola High School has been a leader among his peers. With two terms as a KHSRA director, Wiseman served as president this year.
“The association has made several advancements including moving the finals to Mulvane which I think was a great move,” he said.
Wiseman’s arena accomplishments have earned him a full scholarship to be on the rodeo team at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas. “It’s a great school with top coaches for the outstanding college rodeo team. I’m really looking forward to going there to rodeo,” Wiseman said.
Enrolled in the finance curriculum, the cowboy looks to a career as a stock broker. “I think that’ll work out well as I continue to rodeo throughout my life,” he said. “I can be on the road and still trade stocks working from my I-phone.”
The Wiseman name might also be familiar to rodeo followers as his sister Paige is an arena champion. “Paige was also the state all-around high school champion,” he said. “She went on to win the Central Plains women’s all-around title in the college division. Paige recently transferred to Tarleton State at Stephenville, Texas. She sure is my inspiration.
“I wouldn’t be able to rodeo successfully without an awesome support team. I can’t forget my mom Mandy who’s always helping everywhere, all of my family and friends,” Wiseman recognized. “I really appreciate all of them and my sponsors: Bloomer Trailers, Rock and Roll Denim, Justin Boots and Panhandle.”
No rest for Logan Wiseman in the weeks ahead as practice pen stays busy with roping and bulldogging runs.
“I have to be ready to do my best for the national finals and college, too,” the champion stated.