SAN ANTONIO, TX – On Thursday, February 20, three Lockney FFA members—Adrian Jimenez, Nickolas Cervantes, and Rylee Austin accompanied by FFA Advisor Mr. Froilan Beltran —competed in the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Calf Scramble on the final night of the traditional event.
With only 230 scramble slots available from nearly 900 applicants, being selected was an accomplishment in itself. Even more exciting, all three students were fortunate enough to participate on the same night.
The nerves didn’t fully set in until they stepped into the orientation room. That’s when it became real. Mr.B watched as their expressions changed, and they “locked in,” realizing they wouldn’t see Mr. Beltran again until after the scramble.
The Scramble Begins
The calf scramble is a test of speed, strategy, and determination. Twelve calves are released into the arena while 24 contestants stand in a straight line, waiting for the official signal. Once the marker drops, the chase begins! The goal? Secure a calf, halter it, and lead it into the designated area.
Our scramblers hit the arena with determination. Nickolas Cervantes was the first of the entire group to catch a calf, followed shortly by Rylee Austin and then Adrian Jimenez. At the moment, Mr.Beltran wasn’t even aware that Nickolas had not only caught a calf but had done so first overall!
That night, all three earned a $1,500 certificate to put toward their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects for next year’s show. They also received detailed guidelines for maintaining record books and contact information for their donors, whom they’ll update throughout the year.
Nickolas Cervantes Advances to the Finals
Because Nickolas Cervantes was the first to catch a calf in his round, he was invited back the following night to compete in the Calf Scramble Finals. This event brought together 16 first-place winners and eight alternates, creating a high-stakes competition for additional funding.
The finals followed the same format: 12 calves, 24 competitors, and another chance to earn prize money. Every participant in the finals automatically received a $500 certificate, but only the top 12 who successfully caught a calf earned additional money ranging from $600 to $1,500.
Despite his best efforts, Nickolas narrowly missed catching a calf in the finals, but he still walked away with an additional $500 in funding for his project. Nick’s donor from the first night was impressed that their assigned scrambler caught a calf first and generously donated an additional $2,600 to Nick’s earnings!
Financial Support & Scholarship Opportunities
Now, thanks to their hard work and determination, all three students have secured financial aid to support their SAE projects next year:
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Adrian Jimenez – $1,500
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Rylee Austin – $1,500
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Nickolas Cervantes – $4,600 (includes his finals earnings)
Additionally, if they successfully complete their record books with the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Calf Scramble Committee, they will each receive a $500 scholarship in 2026.
Even more exciting, they will be in the running for one of the highly coveted $10,000 scholarships, awarded to the student with the best record book in each species category (Swine, Sheep, Goat, and Bovine).
A Night to Remember
The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Calf Scramble was an unforgettable experience for Adrian, Rylee, and Nickolas. What started as a simple suggestion by Mr. Beltran had turned into a major achievement, securing thousands of dollars in funding, building valuable connections with donors, and setting the stage for even bigger opportunities in the future.
“As their ag teacher, I couldn’t be prouder of these young men. This was more than just a competition—it was a lesson in perseverance, responsibility, and the rewards that come with hard work.” – Mr. Froilan Beltran
Now, Mr.Beltran and the three students look forward to seeing their projects take shape as they prepare for San Antonio 2026!
