The Johnston family of Stapleton is no stranger to the sport of rodeo, and now the Johnston name is known across the nation. His name is Coy Johnston, and he is the best in the sport of steer wrestling. Johnston is the 2022 National High School Rodeo Association World Champion Steer Wrestler after winning in Gillette, Wyoming over the past week. The town of Stapleton turned out Sunday around 6 p.m. to welcome Johnston home. Halfway from Thedford to Stapleton the local emergency vehicles met the Johnston family on their way home from Wyoming. Then they escorted the family and horses into Stapleton, where the town folk, family, and friends were waiting.
Johnston winning the title is a big deal for Stapleton, and it is a big deal for Nebraska. Jason and Jenny Johnston say Coy practices steer wrestling three times a week. He practices other events on other days. Jenny Johnston said she got very emotional when she saw all the support for her son. Winning on the rodeo scene is extra special for the Johnston family. Coy’s grandpa Jim Johnston won the national title for bull riding sixty years ago at the finals held in Valentine.