story by Lily Weinacht
Penrose, Colorado, native Logan Kenline competes on both ends of the arena, but his favorite event is unquestionably the steer wrestling. For the 17 year old, it’s not only family tradition, it’s packed with adrenaline, even more so than the saddle bronc riding. He started out chute dogging in junior high, and he’s currently sitting fifth in the CSHSRA standings. Justin Jackson often hazes for Logan, who competes with his son Trey Jackson. “What makes me want to rodeo is getting to spend time with family and friends. It’s all pretty fun!” says Logan. “My favorite high school rodeo is Pueblo. It’s close to where I live, and it’s cool to compete there since the rodeo has been there so long.”
In addition to steer wrestling, Logan competes in the saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, and team roping, heading for Chadron Walters. “Chadron and I have been roping together since we were juniors in Little Britches. We don’t live very close since he’s in Bethune, so we show up at rodeos and hope for the best!” Logan’s dad, John Kenline, tie-down roped and rode broncs, and he currently team ropes in jackpots in the area. Michelle Kenline, Logan’s mom, breakaway roped and barrel raced, and both parents are part of practice, whether roping or running chutes. “I look up to my parents, my grandpa Larry Radacy, and my uncle Darrell Radacy,” says Logan. “My grandpa rodeoed a bunch, but bull dogging was his big event. My uncle passed away, but he did quite a bit of bull dogging too.”
Logan competes on his horse Alamo in the steer wrestling, and ropes calves on Payday. “My team roping horse is named Brian after his last owner, because we couldn’t think of another name,” he says with a laugh. “Alamo and Brian knew their events when I got them, but my dad and I have been working with Payday. She’s just taking a little longer to come around. We live near Pueblo and Cañon City, and the best thing about where I live is the community,” he adds. “Everyone is delightful, and they’re always really glad to see you.”
A junior at Florence High School, Logan is enjoying his welding class. He’s working on a flatbed for his truck, which he’ll weld together from a flatbed kit. Logan plays football for the Florence Huskies in the fall, and recently finished wrestling season. He qualified for state and won his first match. “I’ve been wrestling since I was seven, and I think the conditioning and strength training help a lot with rodeo, along with being mentally ready.”
Once home from school, Logan grabs a snack and sits down with his dad, John, to plan what they’ll work on during practice. John works in the wild horse program in Cañon City helping break the mustangs, while Logan’s mom, Michelle, is a medical biller. “Now that I’m done with wrestling, I’ll be getting serious about practice again. I get on the spur board, and I have calves and steers to practice on,” says Logan. If he has additional time on his hands, Logan enjoys hunting and fishing, or hiking.
His goal for the summer is qualifying for the NHSFR for the first time, though he made his debut on the Nationals stage in junior high. Logan finished ninth in the world in the tie-down roping his eighth grade year, also winning the CJHSRA all-around title. He competed in the IFYR last summer, and also enters CJRA rodeos. “I’d like to go to college and rodeo, and hopefully do some PRCA and CPRA rodeos. I never leave home without my confidence. I want to thank my mom and dad, and Grandma and Grandpa Radacy for their support, and my sponsor, Hoofcare Today.”
