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Spring Season Is Underway in the Big Sky Region
The spring season is underway as contestants race to get their names on the leaderboard. Who is currently leading the region, and who has a shot at representing the Big Sky at the College National Finals Rodeo?
The Big Sky Region is one of 11 collegiate rodeo regions of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA). In the fall, the students competed in five collegiate rodeos, racking up points. Many of the other regions have been rodeoing some through February and March, but due to the freezing temperatures up north, the Big Sky Region waits until April to kick off the spring season. With half the season remaining, athletes are gearing up for fast times, big scores, and lots of fun.
The first two rodeos took place in Cody, Wyoming, where Northwest College hosted. They are the only Wyoming school in this region, with the other seven remaining in Montana. From there, teams traveled to Havre, Mont., for two more. A final weekend in Dillon, Mont., ended the fall season. Now, the spring season is here, and the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) is coming soon!
Remaining Big Sky Rodeo Schedule:
April 11-12: Montana State University #1 (Bozeman Mont.)
April 13-14: Montana State University #2 (Bozeman Mont.)
April 18-19: Miles Community College #1 (Miles City, Mont.)
April 20-21: Miles Community College #2 (Miles City Mont.)
April 26-27: University of Montana (Hamilton, Mont.)
Current Standings (As of April 8, 2024):
With a very competitive fall season, the stakes are high going into spring. Currently leading the Men's Team Standings is Montana State University (MSU). In the Women's Team Standings, Montana State University-Northern (MTSUN) has the top spot. With a lot of tight races for the top spots, the spring season is detrimental for these collegiate rodeo athletes.
All-Around:
The University of Montana Western is dominating in the Men's All-Around with the top three cowboys. Leading the pack is University of Montana-Western's Gavin Knutson, with 830.00 pts. In the Women's All-Around, Montana State Universit-Northern's Mikenna Schauer has a dominating lead with 1,596.00 pts.
Men's Team:
1. Montana State University MSU 3417.50 pts
2. University of Montana-Western UMTW 3375.50 pts
3. Northwest College NWC 1616.00 pts
4. Montana State University-Northern MTSUN 1610.50 pts
5. Dawson Community College DAWSON 700.00 pts
6. Miles Community College MILES 679.00 pts
7. University of Montana UMT 457.00 pts
Women's Team:
1. Montana State Universit-Northern MTSUN 1998.50 pts
2. Montana State University MSU 1685.50 pts
3. Miles Community College MILES 909.00 pts
4. University of Montana UMT 572.00 pts
5. University of Montana-Western UMTW 424.00 pts
6. Northwest College NWC 126.50 pts
7. Dawson Community College DAWSON 10.00 pts
Saddle Bronc Riding:
1. Garrett Cunningham MTSUN 771.00 pts
2. Jordan Cust NWC 502.00 pts
3. Monte Bailey MTSU 406.00 pts
4. Cade Costello UMTW 348.00 pts
5. Dylan Young NWC 305.00 pts
Bareback Riding:
1. Trevor Kay UMTW 820.00 pts
2. Cole Gerhardt MTSU 567.00 pts
3. Wesley Shaw MTSU 325.00 pts
4. Ethan Frasier MTSUN 244.00 pts
5. Jay Staley NWC 88.00 pts
Bull Riding:
1. Gavin Knutson UMTW 470.00 pts
2. Marshall Senger MILES 365.00 pts
3. Zane Young NWC 100.00 pts
4. Trey Knight DAWSON 100.00 pts
5. Jay Staley NWC 40.00 pts
Tie-Down Roping:
1. Chase Kellett DAWSON 371.00 pts
2. Wyatt Jenson MTSU 277.00 pts
3. Gavin Knutson UMTW 250.00 pts
4. Quaid Plenty NWC 217.00 pts
5. Jake Deveraux UMTW 210.00 pts
Steer Wrestling:
1. Traver Johnson MTSU. 529.00 pts
2. Jaden Whitman MTSU 446.00 pts
3. Jhet Murphy UMTW 304.50 pts
4. Kaden Conway MTSU 290.00 pts
5. Cole Detton MTSU 260.00 pts
Team Roping Header:
1. Mikenna Schauer MTSUN 325.00 pts
2. Preston Bird MTSUN 305.00 pts
3. Jhet Murphy UMTW 295.00 pts
4. Jake Deveraux UMTW 277.00 pts
5. Cooper Pavkov UMTW 246.00 pts
Team Roping Heeler:
1. Gavin McClean MTSUN 325.00 pts
2. Talan Cummins MTSUN 305.00 pts
3. Ty Christensen UMT 295.00 pts
4. Teegan Leno UMTW 277.00 pts
5. Luke Murphy UMTW 246.00 pts
Barrel Racing:
1. Tayla Moeykens MTSU 540.00 pts
2. Alexis McDonald MTSU 467.00 pts
3. Claire Kalafactic MTSO 306.00 pts
4. Cheyanne Carl UMT 222.00 pts
5. Tycie Phalen MILES 215.00 pts
Breakaway Roping:
1. Mikenna Schauer MTSUN 681.50 pts
2. Meghan McGinely MTSU 220.00 pts
3. Tayla Moeykens MTSU 197.50 pts
4. Talyn Neville UMTW 186.50 pts
5. Erin McGinely UMTW 180.00 pts
Goat Tying:
1. Mikenna Schauer MTSUN 589.50 pts
2. Breyer Newman MTSU 429.00 pts
3. Jessica Stevens MTSU 371.00 pts
4. Kenda Stratham MTSUN 280.00 pts
5. Tavy Leno UMTW 225.00 pts
For more information about the NIRA and the Big Sky Region, visit the official website at collegerodeo.com/membership/big-sky-region.
