After being thrown from the back of a bull, a bull rider quickly stands up to avoid being hit by the bucking bull during the Lone Star Rodeo on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in the WKU L.D. Brown Ag Expo Center. (Photo by Sean McInnis)
The term “adrenaline junkie” may be abrasive, but oftentimes those who earn the title take it with a smile and a nod. Between the influx of young blood from a college town, the draw of natural formations of Mother Nature and the blend of rural and urban lifestyles, thrill-seeking individuals aren’t hard to find in Bowling Green. The climate, culture and geography of the city make it accessible for daredevils to do what they love to do: push themselves to the limit. What is it that drives these folks to such lengths?
Lone Star Rodeo
In February, the Lone Star Rodeo gathered at the WKU Agricultural Exposition Center to feature riders from all over the nation. The rodeo featured an array of events including barrel racing, calf roping, bronc riding and the infamous bull ride. While the events spanned several hours, each individual had only a few seconds to perform. Through the immense pressure, wild crowds and performances, these individuals navigated to a zenith of focus. Some shook with anticipation; even with years of practice, there was still little to no certainty once the big metal gates swung open.
After being thrown from the back of a bull, a bull rider quickly stands up to avoid being hit by the bucking bull during the Lone Star Rodeo on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in the WKU L.D. Brown Ag Expo Center. (Photo by Sean McInnis)A bull rider competes in the “Bull Riding” competition during the Lone Star Rodeo on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in the WKU L.D. Brown Ag Expo Center. (Photo by Sean McInnis)Sierra Stone of Canton, Oklahoma, competes in the “Cowgirls Barrel Racing” competition during the Lone Star Rodeo on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in the WKU L.D. Brown Ag Expo Center. (Photo by Sean McInnis)West Mitchel applies tape to his arms before riding in the “Baerback Bronc Riding” competition during the Lone Star Rodeo on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in the WKU L.D. Brown Ag Expo Center. Tape can provide improved grip and put less strain on a riders wrist while the horse is bucking. (Photo by Sean McInnis)A bareback bronc rider falls head first into the ground at the Lone Star Rodeo during the “Bareback Bronc Riding” competition on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in the WKU L.D. Brown Ag Expo Center. (Photo by Sean McInnis)
Skateboarding
Skateboarding for much of its history has been considered something of an outcast sport, if even a sport at all. After its origin in the 1960s, professional skateboarding wasn’t featured on ESPN until 1995 when it entered its “golden era,” according to Red Bull. Skateboarding was officially recognized by the Olympics in 2020. Bowling Green, like many other cities in the United States, has warmed up to the urban sport. Upon the completion of the downtown Roland Bland Skate Park in 2006, the local skate scene has become more populated and accepted, according to Dragan Jokic, a Croatian immigrant and long-time Bowling Green resident who has practiced and observed skateboarding evolution for two decades.
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Dragan Jokic falling off skateboard after attempting a trick, Feb. 7, 2023, at the Roland Bland Park. Jokic continues to return to skating despite the chance of injury due to that feeling of victory. “Skateboarders are resilient and determined bunch. We will keep trying until we accomplish the trick we set out to do. Despite falling and getting back up on the board. It’s the feeling of victory that keeps me comming back,” Jokic said. (Photo by Brodie Curtsinger) Dragan Jokic performs a trick at the top of a ramp, Feb. 7, 2023, at the Roland Bland Park. Jokic got into skating over 20 years ago. “I got into skateboarding because it was meant to be. It’s my lifelong passion,” Jokic said. (Photo by Brodie Curtsinger) Dragan Jokic performs a trick in the air, Feb. 7, 2023, at the Roland Bland Park. Jokic believes there are benefits to skating. “It’s a way to live a life. A reason to get out of the house and meet friends, learn new tricks even in the face of danger,” Jokic said. (Photo by Brodie Curtsinger)
Boxing
Two people duking it out in a ring is inherently a dangerous activity, and injuries are in no way uncommon. Even so, boxing as a sport is widely popular, and it manages to find takers of its violent call among Bowling Green residents. The BGKY Boxing Gym houses Ebenezer Griffith, a 20-year-old boxer who has his sights set on the Olympics. Griffith was the number one nationally ranked fighter in his weight class in 2022, according to the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
Ebenezer “Stuntman” Griffith blockes a punch from his coach, Zhock Mason, on Feb. 6, 2023, at BGKY Boxing. Griffith believes his coach has played a massive role in his boxing career. “My trainer, Zhock Mason, is the best boxing coach in America right now. And like, I can really say that. Zhock Mason brought me from an unranked boxer to being the number one ranked fighter in the nation,” Griffith said. (Photo by Brodie Curtsinger)Ebenezer “Stuntman” Griffith punches a boxing bag, Feb. 6, 2023, at BGKY Boxing. Griffith believes adrenaline plays a massive role in boxing. “Adrenaline plays a massive role. I feel like adrenaline is that thing that: no matter what you’re feeling beforehand, adrenaline gets you ready,” Griffith said. (Photo by Brodie Curtsinger)Ebenezer “Stuntman” Griffith watches a boxing match with his coach, Zhock Mason, Feb. 6, 2023, at BGKY Boxing. Griffith takes inspiration through different ways, including quotes. “I think the quote that I live by would be: ‘Live everyday like it’s your last.’ That doesn’t just apply to boxing, that applies at life too,” Griffith said. (Photo by Brodie Curtsinger)Ebenezer “Stuntman” Griffith rests after training through boxing and calisthenics, Feb. 6, 2023, at BGKY Boxing. Griffith has goals in mind for what he wants to accomplish by the end of his career. “At the end of my career when I look back, I want to be an Olympic gold medalist, I want to be the undisputed world champion, and I want to sell out Diddle Arena,” Griffith said. (Photo by Brodie Curtsinger)
Rock Climbing
Kentucky is home to many natural rock formations, from the deep and expansive Mammoth Cave to one of the hottest spots for climbing in the world, Red River Gorge. With sport climbing recently being added to the Olympics in 2020 and the topography to do so, climbing has become more popular than ever in Kentucky. There’s a wide variety of climbing types, including lead climbing, speed climbing, top rope and bouldering. Though some climbing styles include ropes and belays, there’s still an inherent risk that the climber must overcome in order to reach the top.
Noah Namvong climbs a sport route at Vertical Excape climbing gym on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023 while being belayed by Harrison Boso. (Photo by Sean McInnis)Caden Hooper strains while positioning his feet on a climbing route at Vertical eXcape climbing gym in Bowling Green, Ky, on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. (Photo by Sean McInnis)Approximately 80 feet up, Anna Emedi,14, pauses on the second pitch while climbing “Hawkwind” a 150 ft. multi-pitch climbing route at Nolin River Dam in Mammoth Cave, Ky, on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023. (Photo by Sean McInnis)
