TRAPPER RODEO BOUNCES BACK
A trip to Miles City, Montana, paid off for the Northwest College rodeo team — with the men’s team winning the first two-day rodeo and multiple Trapper men and women putting in top performances over the four days of action.
BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune
A trip to Miles City, Montana, paid off for the Northwest College rodeo team — with the men's team winning the first two-day rodeo and multiple Trapper men and women putting in top performances over the four days of action.
Kicking off on Thursday and Friday the Trapper men walked away with a team victory, finishing with 550 points — just ahead of second place Montana State, which finished with 500.
"It was a very pleasant surprise," coach Del Nose said. "They stepped up to the plate and came out with a win and I'm really proud of them."
Gunner Plenty led the way for the Trappers, finishing second with 140 points in the all-around for the two-day competition.
Logan Smith had a strong showing in the tie down roping, finishing in third place while Plenty finished in sixth.
Kaydin Small and Plenty tied for third in the team roping header, while Hagen Wallace took second in the heeler competition alongside Mason Trollinger and Hunter Braniff who tied for third.
The Trappers finished fifth in the second rodeo with 310 points for the men while the women took fourth with 60 points.
Logan Smith claimed victory in the tie down roping while Plenty placed fourth — helping Plenty finish third in the all-around to win the all-around belt buckle for the weekend.
"Logan won the calf roping buckle and Gunner won all-around," Nose said. "Logan is sitting second in the calf roping and is going to the CNFR."
Team roping header Phillip Bowers placed second while Plenty placed sixth, and Trollinger was the only one who placed in the heeler taking sixth.
Nicole Groeneveld turned in a strong barrel racing performance, finishing in fifth place during the second rodeo.
Northwest heads to the final rodeo of the regular season this weekend, making the trip to Missoula, Montana, for the University of Montana Spring Rodeo.
Smith is the only Trapper currently in position to go to the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper that kicks off on Sunday, June 11, as he is sitting second in tie down roping.
Nose said that there is a possibility that they could get team ropers qualified but they will need strong performances at the final rodeo to have a chance at qualifying.
Zane Young currently sits tied for fourth in the bull riding standings, just 60 points behind a qualifying spot.
"I'm looking forward to trying to get these guys qualified," Nose said. "It's important to get them the experience of a big outdoor arena and how hard the cattle will run."