There’s nothing sweeter than Honey.

Straughn’s Katie Beck finished second overall in barrel racing at the state finals last weekend, and earned a spot to compete in the 63rd annual National High School Finals Rodeo in Gillette, Wyo.

Beck, riding on her horse, Honey, tallied a 15.4 second run Saturday night to claim the No. 2 spot, and earned the best average ride of the tournament in the barrel racing category. The best average is taken over the three rides during the state finals.

She said her ultimate goal was to make it to nationals.

“It worked out really nice for me,” Beck said about her run at the Alabama High School Rodeo state finals. “I’m pretty pleased with that.”

Beck ran a 15.213 on Thursday, the first day of the state finals. Her best time came on Friday night, where she finished with a 14.999.

Beck said in the end, Honey performed like she was supposed to in the state finals.

“She did her job, and I did mine,” she said.

Beck said during the tournament, there were no big mistakes made, and that each run was executed well.

“I just owe everything to my horse,” Beck said. “She makes my job really easy. If I do my part, then we’ll do good.”

Honey’s owner is Kayla Coker, and she’ll be making the trip with Beck to Wyoming for nationals, which take place July 14-24.

“I’m so excited,” Beck said. “It’s an opportunity of a lifetime to go to Wyoming to represent not only my state, but Covington County and my high school.”

Additionally, Maggie Holmes, also of Straughn High School, qualified in the rope bending category to earn a spot at nationals. She will also be making the trip with Beck next month.

Beck is the daughter of Jeffrey and Beverly Beck of Andalusia, and Josie Beck.