story by Riata Cummings
Ty Bastian is an eighth grader at Roosevelt Junior High School. He enjoys his physical education and shop classes. Ty is an active and athletic person, and he enjoys mountain biking in his spare time. “I can go fast and hit jumps and push myself. It’s a thrill and adrenaline rush, just like rodeo.” He also enjoys working with his hands and building things. Eventually, Ty would like to work as a lineman where he can combine his talents and pleasures.
Ty is the son of Ronnie and Jessica Bastian of Neola, Utah. His older sisters, Jaicee and Dallie, enjoy roping with him in practice and supporting him at rodeos. Rodeo is in Ty’s blood, and his parents and sisters all competed. He currently competes in the team roping, ribbon roping and boy’s breakaway roping through the Utah Junior High School Rodeo Association. In the team roping he heels for Quade Lawson, and in the ribbon roping he ropes for Jordynn Knight.
Ty has qualified for the state finals each of his years competing in the UJHSRA, and last year he qualified for the short go in two of his events. This year he has set a goal to qualify for the National Junior High School Finals Rodeo. His horses, Sly and Crossfire, are crucial to his success. He practices every night he can, roping calves with his sisters and team roping with his father. When Ty makes a rodeo run, he thinks back to his time in practice and concentrates on what he has been working for.
Ty’s father is one of his heroes. “He is a good example to me in every way. One day I want to work hard for my family and coach my kids, just like him.” One of Ty’s greatest strengths is his funny personality and sense of humor. “Roping can get really serious, but it doesn’t have to be. It is supposed to be fun. Roping at our house is fun because we all do it together and we keep it light.”
Ty’s advice to rodeo rookies would be, “Never give up and keep working. There are lots of ups and downs in rodeo, but you deal the downs. Keep going and you will eventually achieve your goals.”
Ty would like to thank his team roping and ribbon roping partners for teaming up with him to chase their goals. He would also like to thank his family for their help at practice and advice in the arena. He is grateful for his experiences in rodeo and for the people who have made those possible.
