story by Riata Cummings
Tad Williams is a 14-year-old rodeo athlete in the Utah Junior High School Rodeo Association. He competes in the chute dogging, team roping and goat tying. His favorite event is the chute dogging, and in the team roping he is a header for Stace Gilbert. Tad’s rodeo horses are Blue the head horse and Chicka the goat horse. He is also riding Chex, a steer wrestling horse he plans to use in high school.
Last year, Tad finished third in the state chute dogging standings and was one of the top 15 goat tyers at the Silver State International Rodeo. This year he hopes to qualify for the National Junior High School Rodeo Finals in the goat tying and chute dogging and is working toward a chute dogging world championship.
Tad is the son of Jed and Crystal Williams of Wanship, Utah. His brother, Hayden, and sister Fallon enjoy traveling to rodeos and practicing together. Tad attends North Summit Middle School as an eighth grader and enjoys his physical education classes. He enjoys playing basketball and spending time with his friends.
When Tad isn’t competing at the rodeo, he enjoys cheering on his friends. “When I cheer everyone on it helps me work through my bad runs. I know that I’ll do better when I help other people.” One of Tad’s greatest strengths is his smile and happy disposition. “I am usually happy, and I try to make others happy.” This has helped him make friends at rodeos and helped him stay positive after bad runs. One of Tad’s greatest friends is Tag Kelly. The two of them go back and forth in the standings, but always remain one anothers’ friends and supporters.
Tad lives by the Ed Macauley quote, “When you are not practicing, remember, someone somewhere is practicing, and when you meet him, he will win.” The mantra reminds Tad to work hard for his goals. “Someone is always practicing. If you aren’t practicing and improving, they will eventually be better than you. Practice as much as you can, and you’ll be better for it.” Eventually, Tad would like to become a professional rodeo athlete.
Tad would like to thank his parents for working hard and providing him with the opportunity and means to rodeo. He would like to thank his brother for helping him in practice and pushing him to be better. Tad would also like to thank the Robb family and the Kelly family for practicing with him and helping him become better.
