By R. L. Harvey -Arklahoma Sports
As someone who has known J-Luke Wickett his entire life, it is with immense pride that I
present this article. Over the past dozen years, having worked with his mother, I, along with
many others, have watched J-Luke grow into a remarkable young rodeo star. At just 14 years
old, J-Luke has already made a name for himself in the rodeo world, and his journey is nothing short of inspiring.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in rodeo?
J-Luke: I’m J-Luke Wickett, I’m 14 years old and I’m from Sallisaw, Oklahoma. My dad
rodeoed his whole life, so it was only natural for my siblings and me to want to rodeo.
Q: What events do you compete in, and which one is your favorite? Why?
J-Luke: I compete in Calf Roping, Team Roping, Ribbon Roping, and Chute Dogging. Calf
Roping is my favorite event. I love the physical part of it, flanking and tying the calf.
Q: How do you prepare mentally and physically for a championship round?
J-Luke: This year, to get ready for nationals, we would wake up and rope around 5:30 am to
beat the heat and then rope again late at night.
Q: What has been your most memorable moment in rodeo so far?
J-Luke: My favorite rodeo memory is winning Roy Cooper’s 12 camp; under Calf Roping a few
years ago. Roy Cooper was one of the best Calf Ropers in the sport of rodeo.
Q: Who are your biggest inspirations or role models in the rodeo world?
J-Luke: My dad and Haven Meged.
Q: How do you balance school and rodeo?
J-Luke: For the last three years, I have been enrolled in Epic Charter Schools. This allows me to be home and able to rope a lot more.
Q: What do you think is the most challenging aspect of competing in rodeo?
J-Luke: The most challenging aspect of rodeo for me is not letting a bad run affect my next run. I struggled with this a lot at first, but I’m learning now you just have to shake it off and do better on the next one.
Q: Can you describe a time when you faced a setback in rodeo and how you overcame it?
J-Luke: At nationals, in my first round of the Calf Roping, I broke the barrier (they add +10 to
your time), but I was able to come back and win the second round with a time of 8.4 seconds.
Q: What advice would you give to other young aspiring rodeo participants?
J-Luke: I would tell them to practice a lot and ride good horses.
Q: What are your goals for the future, both in rodeo and outside of it?
J-Luke: To be a World Champion and I hope to be a great role model to all kids.
At Nationals in Des Moines, Iowa, J-Luke won the second round in both Calf Roping and
Ribbon Roping, achieving the fastest time in both events for the week at the NJHSRA.
His dedication, hard work, and passion for rodeo are truly commendable, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for this talented young cowboy.
As we reflect on J-Luke Wickett’s journey, it’s clear that passion, dedication, and resilience are key ingredients to achieving one’s dreams. J-Luke’s story is proof-positive to the power of hard work and the importance of never giving up, even in the face of setbacks. His unwavering commitment to his goals serves as an inspiration to all of us.
Whether you’re aspiring to be a rodeo champion, pursuing a different sport, or chasing any other dream, remember that success is built on perseverance and a positive mindset. Let J-Luke’s journey remind you that with determination and the right support, you too can achieve greatness.
So, saddle up, stay focused, and keep pushing forward. Often times the moment you're ready to quit is the moment right before the goal is achieved. Your dreams are within reach.
