Andalusia freshman Gus Maraman will follow family tradition tonight as he competes for a top spot in calf roping in the Alabama High School Rodeo Association finals tonight at the Covington Center Arena.

Maraman is an honor student at AHS, and started rodeoing at age 13.

His grandfather, Dickey, started rodeoing at age 15, and his father, Mark, picked it up when he was young.

“The thrill of it,” Maraman said was the sole reason why he loves rodeoing. “I just like the sport. I just like to do it.

“I’ve always loved the rodeo since I was a little kid growing up, watching my dad do it,” he said. “I’ve been riding a horse ever since I was old enough to really know what it is.”

This will be Maraman’s first high school rodeo finals appearance.

In eighth grade, he joined the Alabama State Junior Rodeo Association, and at the state finals, Maraman placed in the top 10 in three out of the four events in which he competed.

Maraman said his father has been a big support to him and his rodeo career so far.

He said he’s anxious to get out there tonight and do well.

“I’m real excited,” Maraman said. “I just want to go out there and make my run and do the best I can.”

The AHSRA rodeo Go 2 performance starts at 7:30 tonight.

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