Radio show host grills Miss Rodeo Utah contestants
By JaNae Francis
Standard-Examiner staff
jfrancis@standard.net
OGDEN - If contestants in the Miss Rodeo Utah pageant had their way, the morning talk show host of an alternative radio show would be going to the Ogden Pioneer Days rodeo wearing boots and a pair of tight-fitting Wrangler jeans.
Top that with a Western shirt and a Resistol cowboy hat to cover his bald spot and he'll be good to go, according to contestant Jenna Whitaker, of Kaysville, who got the most laughs for her answers when Mister West of 101.9, The End Radio, interviewed her and other contestants Saturday.
The mock radio interviews were part of the public speaking contest in the weeklong pageant. In addition to individual interviews with West, they each gave a speech about the state of Utah.
Judging will culminate Monday with a reception and fashion show at 10:30 a.m. in the Ogden Eccles Conference Center and freestyle horsemanship at 6:30 p.m. at the Ogden Stadium as prerodeo entertainment.
"We've got to go to a commercial," said West when Whitaker spoke of the balding area atop his head.
Whitaker gave a huge smile and several bows to the audience as she walked toward her seat.
West tried to surprise the contestants by asking them if they thought officials should consider playing rock music at a rodeo.
But most young women responded by explaining that rock music already was a popular selection at the Western events, especially during the bull-riding competition.
West asked each contestant what they would tell people to get them to attend the rodeo.
"This is America's original extreme sport," said Renae Cowley, of West Point. "The adrenaline-pumping, fever-pitched sport is something that all fans can enjoy."
"You'll see an amazing show," said Loy Michelle Grimm, of Parawan. "The cowboys just have the time of their lives doing what they love to do."
"It's one of the greatest sports on dirt," said Micki Musick, of Spanish Fork. "It's something the whole family can enjoy."
Miss Rodeo Ogden, Chris Wade, of Heber City, said West would have to have a Western, backyard love for the sport of rodeo to be a cowboy.
But as a consolation in the meantime, she invited West to the contestants' swimming party planned for today.
