Cowboys and cowgirls from around the state flocked to Andalusia on Thursday for the opening day of the Alabama Junior High School Rodeo Association’s State Finals at the Covington Center Arena.

Several cowgirls from Covington County made earned they way into the state finals. They are Marybeth Alexander, Grace Schulz, Ripley Schulz, Greycen Worley, Brynne Spurlin and Sara Breedlove.

The participants compete in different events on Thursday and Friday for points, and then on Saturday the top 10 from points earners in each events compete for the state title.

The first event for the local cowgirls was the sixth through eighth grade pole bending competition.

Worley blazed flawless through the poles for a time of 25.650 which put her in fifth place after the first day.

Grace Schulz finished in seventh place with a time of 29.259, but that was with a five-second penalty tacked on for knocking over a pole.

Alexander had strong run as well, but clipped two poles just enough to make them fall. Even with the 10-second penalty, Alexander’s time of 34.610 placed her in 10th for the day.

In the K-5 pole bending, Ripley Schulz finished in sixth with a time of 29.034.

In the sixth through eighth grade barrel racing, Breedlove set the mark high when she started the event with a time of 16.748. Breedlove’s time gave here a third place finish.

Alexander got another good run and came in sixth with a time of 17.817.

Worley’s day remained strong when she finished in ninth with a time of 19.746.

Today’s event’s begin at 10 a.m., beginning with K-5 Jr. bull riding.