Your future, our focus
Originally, only five Trapper cowboys were heading to the National College Finals Rodeo in Casper next week. But, academics matter more than many college cowboys may be willing to admit — and that paid off big time for Jesse Nelson as one of the top bareback riders in the Big Sky Region didn’t make the grades and became ineligible for the finals rodeo.
Nelson is joining the ranks in the bareback event while Shawn Bird and Zach Schweigert represent Northwest College in team roping, along with Lane Lahaye in calf roping, and Tyler Sterner and Casey Fredericks on the bulls.
“We are thrilled about that,” coach Del Nose said. “We are tickled to have six guys going. We ended up 15th in the nation at yearend and it was exciting and we are going to build off of that.”
Nelson had some solid rides for the last couple of rodeos at the regional level, but was only able to pull off a fourth place finish with 870 points. He won the bareback event with 139 points at the final regional rodeo in Missoula on May 8-9.
At the time, Nose said Nelson “will be solid” for next year’s season — competing at the national level will only add to that.
Nelson was one point shy of first place at the University of Great Falls Spring Rodeo on April 30 through May 2 with a 143-point finish.
He was unable to be contacted in time for publication.
Ranking 15th in the nation means NWC is bringing some heavy hitters to the arena, and none more so than Bird and Schweigert as the only team ropers to break into the thousands for regional points with 1,040.
“The plan on Sunday is to have the hammer cocked, it is ready or not,” Nose said. “It is everyone for themselves, ride good and rope good and whatever they have to do to see what happens at the end.”
This is Bird’s second time competing at the NCFR as he approaches his junior year of college this fall.
“I feel pretty good going into it, I have been practicing every day at home and just getting ready for it,” Bird said. “I just want to try to stay consistent, catch and do my job. I’m just not going to over-think it, I guess.”
Bird said his times weren’t where he wanted them to be while team roping in some rodeos since regionals ended.
“I haven’t done too good lately, but I feel pretty good about it (the college finals),” Bird said. “Just going to try to catch the steers — wait and see where it ends up.”
Bird’s teammate, Schweigert, also did not return calls to the Tribune in time for publication.
“Everyone is staying geared up, kids are practicing on their own and we will see what happens when we get there,” Nose said. “They are going to the (Cody) night rodeos and amateur ones and practicing at home and from what I hear tell from the kids is it is going pretty good.”
NWC bull rider Tyler Sterner said he’s feeling “pretty confident” about entering the finals for the first time. Since the regional season ended, he has been participating in the Cody Night Rodeos a couple of times a week and practicing on Mighty Bucky, the bucking machine at the college’s practice barn between Cody and Powell.
“So far I haven’t had much luck, been getting bucked off at 6 seconds,” Sterner said.
As of Tuesday, Sterner said he was planning on getting some more practice rides in before the finals begin on Sunday.
“I am really confident in myself — I think if I can keep my nerves under control I will be able to do well,” Sterner said. “I plan on doing the same as always: keep my head clear and not over-think things and not second-guess myself.”
Sterner ranked second in the region with 270 points and Fredericks was close behind in third with 240 points. Fredericks did not return calls to the Tribune in time for publication.
This will be freshman calf roper Lahaye’s first time at the National College Finals Rodeo. Lahaye finished regionals with 670 points, good for second place.
Lahaye was one of the most improved riders on the team since he was riding a different horse in the fall, Nose said.
“Now that he got her back in the spring, and they bonded and gelled and really come on — he placed in every rodeo in the season,” Nose said during the regional season. “It makes a difference, he went from fourth to second and got a spot in the finals. That is an eye opener. I didn’t realize this mare existed because she wasn’t there in the fall, but when he got her it was automatic.”
“It should be pretty fun going down there,” Lahaye added. “I am just going to see what happens, not worry what everyone else is doing and do what I do and see what happens.”
Lahaye said he has been roping with his brother as often as possible in preparation for the finals and is excited to begin competing Monday night.
The following is the Trapper’s schedule for the NCFR: