The college rodeo season ended this past weekend with the UW Rodeo team dominating in the Central Rocky Mountain Region. By the end, the team had 10 athletes crowned as region champions.
Over the course of three days, the UW Rodeo Team rode competing to advance to nationals. The UW fans came to support their rodeo team by packing the stadium almost all three days. By the end of the Laramie River Rendezvous Rodeo, some dreams were accomplished and some tears were shed.
The seniors of the UW Rodeo Team competed at their last home rodeo this week. One of the seniors, Parker Rowe, got a shoutout for being the best student athlete at UW in rodeo history for his academic achievements.
Depending on the events, the riders would be scored based on the most points or the fastest time. For each round winner, the athlete was rewarded a $30 Murdoch’s gift card.
At the end of the weekend, the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) finalists in the region were crowned. In order to qualify, athletes had to be in the top three of their respective events.
Jacob Wang won the in steer wrestling and as a result earned a spot at the CNFR this June. This is Wang’s second consecutive time winning the region.
Bodie Mattson, a freshman, will be attending the CNFR in the team roping as a header and in the tie-down roping. Mattson also won the men’s reserve all around award in the region.
During the short go, Mattson and his team roping partner, Carson Johnson from Casper College, had a 4.5 second run in the championship round of the season finale. It was the fastest time for the entire spring season.
Also in the team roping, Rio Nutter qualified for the CNFR after being in second place behind his roommate, Mattson, who was named champion.
Tie-down roping was a competitive event where Cameron Jensen took the win. Jensen, a senior, will be attending the CNFR in the tie-down roping after being named the number one cowboy in the region. Not only was Jensen the number one in tie-down but he also received all-around honors by competing in steer wrestling and team roping. He had the most points so therefore he won the all around champion in the men’s division.
The women’s rodeo athletes continue to win several events with three moving on to the CNFR in Casper, WY in June.
Graduate student Sage Kohr, was the top lady in the breakaway roping and the barrel racing. Kohr will be heading to the CNFR with her fellow Cowgirl Emme Norsworthy, who finished the season in third in barrel racing.
In the goat tying event, Faith Hoffman will continue to represent UW by competing in the CNFR after maintaining her reserve champion status at the Laramie River Rendezvous. She is the only goat tyer from UW to compete in June.
For team points, the women’s team ended up second after Gillette College Lady Pronghorns and the men’s team finished in first. They are also ranked fourth on the national level.
Although she did not qualify for the CNFR, Kelsey Lensegrav received an honorable award from the region for having the Horse of the Year award.
