KIMBALL -- Jill Jandreau is preparing for another championship.
The Kimball High School graduate is set to compete in the South Dakota High School Rodeo State Finals, which begins Wednesday and runs through Sunday in Belle Fourche.
She's hoping to claim her second consecutive title in the breakaway roping event.
"I'm very excited," she said. "It's kind of nerve-wracking. I want to go out with a bang, so hopefully it goes as planned."
Jandreau, who graduated high school earlier this year, spends about five or six hours a day practicing for her two events -- breakaway roping and barrel racing.
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"I'm trying to focus more on the breakaway, but I still practice barrels quite a bit," she said.
Jandreau said rodeo takes up a large portion of her time, but she enjoys doing it. She has been competing in rodeo since she was 8 years old and added breakaway has always been her favorite event.
"My sisters and my whole family have always roped," she said. "It's a big family tradition and that's what we mainly focus on."
In the past, Jandreau has qualified for the state finals in barrel racing, but said she doesn't expect to be near the top of the standings.
"I base my success off my previous runs," she said. "I've never been a big contender, but I've had some success."
Jandreau is confident in her chance at another state championship in the breakaway and is looking toward even bigger goals.
"I'm looking forward to nationals this year and I'm hoping to get into the short go," she said.
To compete in the short go at nationals, a cowgirl must be in the top 20 in the standings. At the state meet the short go consists of the top 15. Last year, Jandreau placed 22nd at nationals.
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"I know what I need to do," she said. "It's just about going out and executing it."
Jandreau's first action at this year's state finals will be in the breakaway Friday morning. She'll compete in barrel racing Friday night with both events continuing Saturday.
