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CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) Trenton Koch has earned a spot to compete at the National High School Rodeo Finals for the 3rd consecutive year in bull riding. 

Koch placed 2nd for team North Dakota this year in bull riding. He just graduated from Valley City High School and will be attending Montana State University this fall in Bozeman, MT. He lives north of Valley City with his parents, Joe and Rachael and his sister Jessa Koch.

Katie Bitz will be competing in barrel racing. She placed 3rd for team North Dakota. This is Katie’s 1st year attending Nationals. She will be a senior at Maple Valley High School this coming fall. She lives in Oriska with her parents, Terry and Laura and her twin brother Trent, Katie also has an older brother Nick.

In order to qualify to compete at the National Finals you must finish in one of the top 4 places in your event.

More than 1,700 participants will be competing in the National High School Finals Rodeo July 16-22 in Gillette, Wyoming.

There will be a silent auction, spaghetti feed and bake sale to help support these students compete in the National Finals. The event will be held on July 10 at the Valley City Eagles Club from 5pm to 7pm. The public is welcome to attend.

Story and photos submitted to NewsDakota.com

Above and below: Trenton Koch.

Above and below Katie Bitz.