The Missouri Valley College men’s and women’s rodeo teams hosted the Viking Stampede Rodeo Thursday through Saturday at the Saline County Fairgrounds in Marshall. The Valley men’s rodeo team finished first in the average in two events, with the men’s team claiming first place, and the women’s team placing second in the team standings.

Leading the men’s team was Freshman Ty Pope (Waverly, Kan.), who placed first in the saddle bronc average with a 144. Pope collected 170 team points. Pope also placed second in bareback riding with a 148 average. He collected another 150 points. Senior Trey Watts (Williamsport, Pa.) placed second in the saddle bronc average with a 141.

Junior Nick Pelke (Mondovi, Wisc.) placed third in bareback riding with a 147 average. Senior Roy Lee (Benton, Ark.) won the first go-round in steer wrestling with a 5.3, and earned 90 points.

Leading the women’s team was Sophomore Taylor Mason (Marshall, Mo.), who placed first in the goat tying average with a 15.1 and collected 125 points. Madison Clark finished second in the goat tying average with a 15.9. Clark earned 130 points. Freshman Betsy Roemer (Jonesboro, Ark.) finished third in the goat tying average with a 16.0 and collected 90 points. Roemer also placed third in the breakaway roping average with a 7.8, and earned 100 points.

The Valley men’s rodeo team won the event with 755 points. University of Tennessee-Martin followed with 440 points. The Lady Vikings finished second with 225 points. The University of Arkansas-Monticello scored 260 points.

Up next, the Valley rodeo teams will compete at the University of West Alabama rodeo Thursday through Saturday in Meridian, Miss.