RUSSELL — After several boys failed to hang on to the sheep they were riding long enough to score a high score during the mutton busting event, the announcer during Saturday’s Russell Stampede Rodeo bellowed out a plea to kids ages 4 to 7.

“Is there any girl power out there?” he asked.

And just a few riders later, Emma Janssen walked toward the cowboys standing next to the gate for the sheep. She was placed on one of them, and the sheep took off like a rocket. Janssen hung on tight, as the sheep raced across the rodeo grounds.

As the audience cheered, the announcer reported a 90 score, well ahead of the other competitors.

The rodeo clown grabbed Janssen and raised her up so the audience could cheer again.

Janssen just smiled when asked about her strategy.

“Hang on tight,” her mother said. “She practiced on her dad in the living room.”

It was one of the highlights of the last rodeo in Russell during Bandwagon Days after 15 years.

Two couples who were instrumental in starting the rodeo were honored during one of the breaks in the action. Mike and Audie Sanderson and Amy Korman and her husband Justin stood in the middle of the rodeo grounds to be recognized by the announcer.

It might have been the last rodeo in Russell, but it was the first one for Lane Onken of Slayton.

“I wanted to go to rodeo. She brought me to this one,” he said pointing to Tori VanOverbeke, who was sitting next to him. “This was the first one to come up.”

Onken enjoyed watching the calf roping but was looking forward to upcoming bullriding event.

“They save the big event for last,” he said.

Earlier on Saturday, Bandwagon Days Committee member Hilary Buchert said she was pleased with the weekend event.

“It’s been going really well,” she said. “We’re glad it stopped raining. People stuck around.”

Buchert did say the crowd was little smaller than previous years.

Rolle bolle was one of the more popular events Saturday. Event organizer Jeremy Jensen said 12 competitors played in a round robin tournament.

“After this tournament ends, we will probably start another one as more people start trickling in,” Jensen said.