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Action underway at College National Finals Rodeo
CASPER, Wyo. (June 15, 2014) — Tyler Waltz from the University of Tennessee – Martin is a man on a mission, to win a National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association bareback riding championship.
Waltz competed in the first round of bareback riding at the Bulls Broncs and Breakaway performance of the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) on Sunday afternoon. Two performances were held in the Casper Events Center where the first round of bareback riding, breakaway roping, saddle bronc riding and bull riding were completed.
Waltz has qualified for the CNFR three times and each time has bettered his finish. His first appearance here was in 2011 when he finished in 11th place. He missed 2012, came back here in 2013 and finished in sixth place. Waltz received his Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Business in June and this is his last opportunity to compete at the CNFR. He has got some momentum going with a round winning 82-point score.
Zeke Thurston, competing for Sheridan (Wyo.) College is also hoping to leave with his first collegiate title in saddle bronc riding. The sophomore and second generation bronc rider qualified last year finishing in 10th place. He won the first round with 81 points. Thurston who grew up in Big Valley, Alberta, is the son of Skeeter Thurston a many time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) qualifier in the same event that has local ties. Skeeter Thurston attended Casper College and qualified for the CNFR when it was held in Bozeman, Mont.
In the breakaway roping, it was Central Arizona College’s Cheyenne Sherwood who had the fast time of the day. Sherwood, a freshman, stopped the clock in 2/0 seconds for first place. She is a freshman who also has family ties to rodeo. Her uncle Matt Sherwood is a world champion team roper in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). She has another uncle, Matt Shiozawa is a six-time NFR qualifier in tie-down roping.
There were six successful bull riders during Sunday’s competition. Leader of the pack was Jared Parsonage, from Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, who just graduated with an associate’s degree in science from Weatherford College in Texas. Parsonage is making the best of his first CNFR qualification with an 81-point score.
Right behind Parsonage is last year’s reserve men’s all-around champion, Joe Frost who has three qualifications for Panhandle State University in Goodwell, Okla. Frost had an 80-point ride here Sunday and will also be competing in steer wrestling. Sage Kimzey who was leading the national standings coming in finished third with a 79.5. Kimzey, who also currently leads the PRCA world standings was reserve champion bull rider here last year.
All of the competitors who qualify for the CNFR start on an even playing field. They will each compete in three rounds before the championship round which starts this Saturday. Their scores and times will be added together with the best twelve in each event advancing to Saturday night’s rodeo.
The first round in women’s barrel racing and goat tying as well as team roping, tie-down roping, and steer wrestling will be completed during slack Monday beginning at 7 a.m.
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CASPER, Wyo.—The following are results from Bulls Broncs and Breakaway at the College National Finals Rodeo, June 15, 2014 courtesy of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. Compete results are available at www.collegerodeo.com.
Breakaway Roping: (first round winners) 1, Cheyenne Sherwood, Central Arizona College, 2.0 seconds. 2, (tie) Hannah Springer Southern Arkansas University and Loni Pearce, Southern Arkansas University, 2.3 seconds each. 4, Kimberlyn Fitch, Idaho State University, 2.4. 5, Ava Rankin, Miles City Community College, 2.5. 6, Jacalyn Walker, Utah Valley University, 2.6. 7, Kaylee Moyer, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, 2.7. 8, (tie) Micah Samples, Northwestern Oklahoma State University; Brooke Hirschy, Cal Poly State University – San Luis Obispo; Macy Fuller, Central Arizona College; and Kacey Struxness, Missouri Valley College, 2.8 each.
Bareback Riding: (first round winners) 1, Tyler Waltz, University of Tennessee – Martin, 80 points. 2, Richmond Champion, Tarleton State University, 79. 3, Colt Kitaif, University of Tennessee – Martin, 78.5. 4, Deven Reilly, Gillette College, 77.5. 5, Linden Woods, New Mexico Junior College, 77. 6, (tie) Wyatt Bloom, Montana State University, and Orin Larsen, Panhandle State University, 74.5 each. 8, Wyatt Clark, University of Wyoming, and Dustin Jackson, Sam Houston State University, 73.5 each.
Saddle Bronc Riding: (first round winners) 1, Zeke Thurston, Sheridan College, 81.0. 2, Telden McLain, Feather River College, 79.5. 3, CoBurn Bradshaw, Western Texas College, 78. 4, Taygen Schuelke, Sheridan College, 77.5. 5, Jade Blackwell, Gillette College, 77.0. 6, (tie) Travis Nelson, Tarleton State University and Cole Hatcher, College of Southern Idaho, 74 each. 8, Joe Harper, Panhandle State University, 73.5.
Bull Riding: (first round winners) 1, Jared Parsonage, Weatherford College, 81. 2, Joe Frost, Panhandle State University, 80. 3, Sage Kimzey, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, 79.5. 4, Taygen Schuelke, Sheridan College, 79. 5, (tie) Bryan Carter, Blue Mountain Community College, and Nevada Newman, Montana State University, 74.5 each.
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