NWC RODEO KICKS OFF IN BOZEMAN

BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune

The second half of the Northwest College rodeo season is set to kick off  today (Thursday) with a pair of rodeos over four days in Bozeman, Montana, at the Montana State Spring Rodeo.

Over the winter the team held clinics for calf roping, team roping, goat tying, barrel racing and breakaway — with coach Del Nose hoping the Trappers have a better second half of the year.

"It's been a long time since the last one (rodeo)," Nose said. "I am hoping for good results."

After the fall season the Trappers sat at fifth overall in the Big Sky men's standings with 930 points, far behind leaders University of Montana-Western with 2,553 points. 

The women's team sat in sixth with 53 points after the first four rodeos in the fall.

Individually, Logan Smith ranks the highest for the Trappers — sitting in fourth in tie down roping with 298 points behind a trio of Montana State cowboys with two of them only 10 points ahead of Smith.

Smith also sits in a tie for fifth in team roping header with 150 points, just ahead of Gunner Plenty who is tied for seventh with 126 points.

In team roping heeler, Hagen Wallace sits in fourth with 210 points ahead of Mason Trollinger who is tied for seventh with 126.

DeEtte Powell is the sole cowgirl ranked for the Trappers, sitting at 14th in goat tying with 69 points.

"Our practices have been really good," Nose said. "We will see how strong mentally they are. Some days they are right on and some days you wonder if they are on the same page. It definitely is a lot better than it was last fall."

Nose said the team's goal is to always win the rodeo, and feels with the way they have been practicing they have a shot.

After the Montana State Spring Rodeo the Trappers will head back to Montana next week for four days to participate in the Miles Community College Spring Rodeo.