Sophomore Wins Big at Calf Scramble

April 13, 2012
Filed under Features

Gates open, calves flood the area and breathless people furiously run around to catch just one. This is what surrounded Sophomore Hannah Lowe as she competed at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Calf Scramble at the Houston Reliant Center on Sunday, March 18.

“The calf scramble was really crazy. It only lasted six minutes, but for it not being that long, I caught two calves,” Lowe said.

Not only did Lowe participate in the competition, but a few other Oak Ridge students had a chance to scramble as well.

“Haley Castro, Harley Mobley, Brittany Kuitert and I all got accepted and went against the other 24 students that were accepted as well,” Lowe said.

There isn’t much to think about while chasing after a rambunctious calf. Especially when all it is trying to do is get as far away from people as possible.

“I remember thinking ‘which one will I catch?’ while running around trying to catch it. I also competed last year, but since I didn’t catch one I was determined to succeed this year,” Lowe said.

There is nothing more satisfying than personal success in young lives.

“I am very content with my success. After going against 27 more people, I was excited, but I also got thrown into a gate while catching one of the two calves so I got a little hurt, but I was still so happy,” Lowe said.

A lot of preparation goes into the competition and that preparation will determine outcome of the competition as well.

“To even be considered for the scramble, I had to fill out an application and they select whomever they want. If you catch a calf, you receive $1, 250 to buy a calf at their auction, but if you do not use the money to buy one, you have to pay them back the money they gave you and then some because you basically stole from them,” Lowe said.

After Lowe goes and buys her calf, she will have to adapt to taking care of it daily.

“I think it will definitely be a challenge taking care of my animals but I am ready for it. My calf will stay at the FFA barn called the Otwell Agricultural Center which is currently being built right now,” Lowe said.