Bucking Bulls, Horses and Breakaway Roping Kick Off CNFR
CASPER, Wyo. (June 10, 2018) – For 70 years, the college rodeo season has culminated with the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) where national champions are crowned. For the most recent 20, the CNFR has been held in its current home of Casper, Wyoming.
The 2018 edition got underway at the Casper Events Center on Sunday with the first round of bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding and the women’s breakaway roping. This has been a tradition since 2003 and has seen steady growth and support from the fans.
The first winner of the CNFR was Marlee Mussmann, a senior at the University of Montana – Western who stopped the clock in 2.3 seconds in the breakaway roping. Mussman is making her second trip to the CNFR and is already making the most of it by having the fastest time in round one. She grew up in Murtaugh, Idaho, and started her college rodeo career at Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming.
Then she transferred to Western, in Dillon, Montana, where she is finishing her bachelor’s degree in Biology. With plans to graduate this December. While she’s passionate about rodeo and roping, she is focused on her future and expects to pursue either a medical or physician’s assistant degree.
In the first round of bull riding, it was Colby Demo that stole the show with an 82-point ride on Silver Creek Pro Rodeo’s bull named Sudden Debt. Demo, a recent graduate of Feather River College has been studying agricultural business. This the second appearance for the Red Bluff, California resident.
It was a good day for another Californian in the saddle bronc riding. Will Centoni, who is attending Cuesta College is making his second appearance at the CNFR. The leader in bareback riding is Jesse Nelson from Montana State University with a 78.5-point score. North Dakota State University’s Joshua DiPippo received the option of a re-ride on Sunday, so he will get to ride his first-round horse on Monday morning to complete the round.
The first round of bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping, barrel racing and goat tying will be completed Monday during slack. The second round will start for bareback, saddle bronc and bull riders as well as breakaway ropers on Monday morning as well. It begins at 7 a.m.
CASPER, Wyo. – The following are results from Bulls Broncs and Breakaway at the College National Finals Rodeo, June 11, 2018, courtesy of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. Complete results are available at www.collegerodeo.com.
Breakaway Roping: (first-round winners) 1, Marlee Mussmann, University of Montana – Western, 2.3 seconds. 2, Courtney Provost, Utah Valley University, 2.4. 3, (tie) Quincy Segelke, Gillette College, and Taylor Lagasse, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, 2.6 each. 5, Lakota Bird, Central Arizona College, 2.7. 6, (tie) Katie Rice, Cal Poly State University – San Luis Obispo; Tommi Swannack, Walla Walla Community College; Janey Reeves, University of Idaho; and Josie Jensen, Idaho State University, 2.8 each.
Bareback Riding: (first round leaders) 1, (tie) Jesse Nelson, Montana State University, and Jesse Pope, Missouri Valley College, 78.5 points. 3, Tristan Hansen, University of Montana Western, and Tyler Berghuis, Tarleton State University, 78. 5, Chance Ames, Sheridan College, 77. 6, Garrett Shadbolt, Doane University, 76.5. 7, Zach Hibler, Hill College, 75. 8, Travis Chapman, Panola Junior College, 74.
Saddle Bronc Riding: (first round winners) 1, (tie) Will Centoni, Cuesta College, and Dawson Dahm, Panhandle State University, 78 points each. 3, Carter Elshere, Gillette College, 77.5. 4, Mason Mardesich, Otero Junior College, 76.5. 5, Parker Kempfer, Sam Houston State University, 75.5. 6, Jake Finlay, Panhandle State University, 75. 7, Briar Dittmer, Missouri Valley College, 74.5. 8, Brady Hill, Western Texas College, 72.5.
Bull Riding: (first round winners) 1, Colby Demo, Feather River College, 82 points. 2, Ryan McDaniel, University of Tennessee – Martin, 80.5. 3, Blaise Milligan, New Mexico State University, 78. 4, Will Centoni, Cuesta College, 77. 5, Lance Daniel, University of West Alabama, 73. 6, Callum Miller, Panhandle State University, 70. 7, Jake Smith, University of Wyoming, 69.5. 8, Nate Hoey, Lamar Community College, 69.