Charlie Romero is always looking for his next adrenaline rush. Whether it’s riding bulls, dirt bikes, mixed martial arts or four-wheelers, he loves living on the edge. The Kansas High School Rodeo Association member is in his first year with the organization, but has been riding bulls since he was twelve. Fellow contestant Dalton LaFalier encouraged him to join high school rodeo, and he loves it.
He lives in Edna, Kan., twelve miles east of Coffeyville, and is a senior at Labette County High School in Altamont. School is easier this year, since most of his required classes are out of the way. He wrestles and is a member of FFA.
When Charlie began riding bulls, it was in the National Junior Bull Riding Association, but after he got injured during a hang-up, his mom made him quit. He quit riding for two years, then began again at age sixteen. He got injured a second time, and then began wrestling.
He credits Zach Strunk, a family friend who lives in Coffeyville, with getting him started. He rode the bucking barrel at Zach’s house, and Zach takes him to his high school rodeos. “He’s helped me so much, he’s been a brother to me,” Charlie said.
Between riding bulls and doing crazy things, Charlie has had his share of broken bones. He’s broken his arm, collarbone, wrist and ankles, and his doctor teases him, telling him that his parents have helped build the new wing on the hospital with the doctor’s fees Charlie has incurred.
This fall, he will compete at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami on a bull riding scholarship. He hopes to get a business and marketing degree. He also plans on going to farrier school and completing an equine dentistry degree, so he has some options for jobs. He hopes to get his Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association permit this March, fill it, make money and gain experience, and move on to the PBR ranks.
The best bull he’s ever gotten on was one of Matt Williams’ bulls at the Emporia high school rodeo last year. The bull was a “nice, stocky red bull, that was really rank, really awesome,” Charlie remembers. “He was leaping and blowing up in the air like crazy.” Charlie went 7.8 seconds on him.
But even though his thrills extend to dirt bike riding, MMA, and other dangerous things, he’s careful to not go too far. “Nothing too dangerous,” he says. “I have to keep my bull riding career.”
“Bull riding is the main thing that keeps me going. It keeps me happy. I can’t get enough of it. It’s great.”
Charlie has an older sister, Sarah Day, who lives in Coffeyville. He is the son of Carlos and Stephanie Romero.
