Straughn Middle School eighth grader Mary Beth Alexander picked another big barrel racing win Saturday in Bay Minette.

“It felt really good,” Alexander said. “I wasn’t nervous at all and I just thought that I had good runs.”

Alexander darted around the barrels with speed and finesse to claim first place in the Youth 1D championship.

She also had a good run in the 1D Open where she finished in third place.

“Barrel racing has been my favorite event,” Alexander said. “It’s just a lot of fun and a little easier than pole bending.”

Alexander competes in both events on a regular basis, but said that nothing compares to the way she feels when barrel racing.

“There is just something really fun about barrel racing,” Alexander said. “There is no feeling like coming back home. When you are coming full speed around that third barrel, it just gets your adrenaline going.”

Competing in the rodeo is something that Alexander plans to do for a long time.

“I want to keep doing it in high school and eventually go to college to rodeo,” Alexander said. “It’s something that I really love to do and I want to keep doing it for as long as I’m able.”

This summer Alexander said she is just going to mostly barrel racing events, but is excited to get back into full action when the Alabama Junior High School Rodeo Association season begins in September.

“This will be my last year in the junior high rodeo,” Alexander said. “I’m ready to get into the high school association where there is more competition. I’ve really enjoyed these past three years in the AJHSRA. I’ve made a lot of really good friends through the rodeo. It’s always fun to get to see your friends at all the rodeos. We all get along because we all share the same interest and everyone wants the best for each other.”

Alexander said she will take a few days off before getting ready to compete in next weekend’s barrel racing event in Baker, Fla.