Triplett wins second bull riding title

Matt Triplett is as tough, determined and focused as they come in bull riding.

Triplett, who just completed his junior year at Columbia Falls High School, captured his second consecutive state championship — winning bull riding at the Montana High School Rodeo Association State Finals last weekend at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds in Bozeman.

With another top-four finish, Triplett qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo July 19-25 in Farmington, N.M.

The scene was a little different when it came down to the short round at state this year, though. In 2008, he bucked off in the second round, but was able to qualify for the finals. There were only two qualified rides in the short round and Triplett had one of them — scoring a big 82. Since Drew Baker of Phillipsburg could not ride the eight seconds on his draw, Triplett had the state title and Baker settled for second.

Triplett scored on all three of his draws last weekend, earning better scores on each bull. He had a 77 on Carrot Top on Friday, then a 78 aboard Stone Child on Saturday. That allowed him to sit in first place going into the short round, and he was the last bull rider to go in the finals.

By the time Triplett's turn came, he had the state crown wrapped up since the only two riders who could catch him — seniors Tyler Owens and J.D. Harrell — bucked off in the finals. Triplett wanted to go out with a flourish and he did, scoring an 83 to win the short round and the average.

"Before I got on I'd already won state," Triplett said Monday. "It was a really good feeling. It motivated me to ride that bull because the other two bucked off."

Triplett said he felt better going into state this year compared to 2008.

"I've been riding better and practicing a lot," he said. "I've been lifting (weights' harder." He lifts three times a week, working on squats for the legs and the abdominal muscles. There has also been more concentration on cardio-vascular work via sprints and distance running.

Staying healthy has been a key.

"God's kept a good hand over me," Triplett said.

The physical aspect of bull riding is crucial, but how about the mental aspect?

"Almost all of it is mental. I try not to think. I go to the basics and ride the best I can, jump for jump," Triplett said. "I try to go with the flow."

For something different, Triplett competed in team roping at the state rodeo, working with Jeffrey Markette of Corvallis. They had a no time in the first and second rounds.

Triplett will enter as many as 10 NRA rodeos this summer before heading to the high school nationals in a month.

With 209 bull riders at nationals last year, the magnitude of the event got to Triplett. He was unable to ride either of his draws.

"I'll look at it as just another rodeo," Triplett said of nationals this year.

Triplett offers a "thank you" to his sponsors this year. They are Nate Nye Construction of Columbia Falls, Amore Salon and Spa of Kalispell, and Glacier Mountain Painting of Whitefish.