Gus Maraman travels 30 minutes just to partake in rodeo practice in Rose Hill.

It’s all worth it for the Andalusia junior as he gets ready for the start of the 2013-14 Alabama High School Rodeo Association season.

Maraman and other cowboys and cowgirls will start their respective seasons this weekend at the 12th annual Covington Cowgirls Drill Team Alabama Junior and High School Rodeo at the Covington Center Arena in Andalusia.

Maraman said getting off to a good start is a big key.

“I just want to start it off well and be consistent,” Maraman said.

For the past four to five weeks, Maraman has been hitting his arena hard in Rose Hill, practicing on the weekends and some on Fridays.

When he got back from nationals in Wyoming, Maraman went to a rodeo in Texas two weeks later and then go right back into practicing.

On a normal practice run, he’ll do a lot of “good, clean runs to better yourself.”

“When we practice, it’s all about consistency and doing everything right,” Maraman said.

Maraman will be competing in the calf roping event this weekend. His horse’s name is “Woody.”

Staying ahead in points is also a must, Maraman said.

“It’s important because you can’t fall behind, or (the competition will) leave you,” he said. “You’ll get left behind.”

Maraman will be getting off to a good start on Saturday night at 7:30, when the high school rodeo begins.

Maraman is the son of Mark and Debbie Maraman of Andalusia.