The National High School Rodeo Association, the oldest youth rodeo organization in America, appointed Colton Jinks and Tyler Mitchell, both of Napa, to the Wrangler High School All Star Rodeo Team, the first-ever corporate-sponsored youth rodeo team.

Mitchell, 16, is a junior at Justin-Siena High School.

His specialty events include steer wrestling, saddle bronc, tie-down roping and team roping.

Mitchell, who was named co-captain of the All Star squad, is also involved in 4H and baseball.

Jinks, 16, is a junior at Vintage. He competes in bareback and team roping, and participates in 4H.

The Wrangler High School All Star Rodeo Team is fashioned after Wrangler’s Champion Pro Rodeo Team, which includes superstars like Ty Murray, Joe Beaver, Dan Mortensen, Charmayne James and Hall-of-Famer Jim Shoulders.

Jinks and Mitchell earned positions on the Wrangler High School All Star Rodeo Team based on leadership qualities, academic eligibility and athletic achievements.

“As always, it gives us a tremendous sense of pride to associate with these promising young men and women,” said Karl Stressman, Special Events Manager for Wrangler Rodeo.

“We’re confident each member of the team will be an outstanding goodwill ambassador for the sport of rodeo.”

Members of the Wrangler High School All Star Rodeo Team receive official competition apparel consisting of Wrangler Twenty X shirts embroidered with the team logo and two pairs of competition jeans.

In addition, team members receive an official team certificate signed by Shoulders and Murray.

The mission of the NHSRA is to help today’s young people become responsible, dedicated adults through the sport of rodeo.

High school rodeo has come a long way since its start as a single event held in Halletsville, Texas, in 1947.

It now features over 10,000 members and 1,250 sanctioned rodeos in 39 states, five Canadian provinces and Australia.

For more information, call (800) 466-4772 or visit www.nhsra.org.