Missouri Valley College bareback riders are in the top two positions in the standings after the third go-round at the College National Finals Rodeo taking place this week in Casper Wyoming.
According to a release from the college, sophomore Ty Pope earned a 74.5 and junior Cole Franks finished with a 74.0 in the third go-round. Franks currently leads in the average with a 236, and Pope is second with a 233.5. Also, senior Tucker Alberts leads in the steer wrestling average with a 13.7, after a 5.3 in his third go-round.
MVC Rodeo Coach Ken Mason says it’s a fun time of year, and the student-athletes have been working hard.
On the women’s side, sophomore Lakin Cunningham posted a 7.2 in the third go-round of goat tying, and has a 20.2 in the average and currently is No. 7.
On Wednesday night, for the men’s team, senior Nick Pelke earned a 62.0 and currently sits at No. 11 in the third go-round in bareback riding. Pelke has a 210.5 in the average and is No. 6 overall.
Senior Chance Masters competed in saddle bronc riding, and earned a 68.0. Masters has a 138.0 in the average and is No. 8 overall.
For the women’s team, freshman Kenlie Raby competed in breakaway roping. Raby finished with a 1.7 in the third go-round and currently leads the go-round. She is No. 14 in the average with a 14.1.
Franks will compete in saddle bronc riding and senior Sheyenne Anderson in breakaway roping in third go-rounds on Thursday.
Friday third go-rounds feature Pope in saddle bronc riding, senior Kolten Achenbach in bull riding, junior Taylor Mason in breakaway roping and Anderson in goat tying.
As a team, Mason says the Vikings are doing well. But he doesn’t pay attention to the standings until it’s finished.
Mason has had great success as a head coach, and the Vikings and Lady Vikings have had several individual national champions over the years. But a team national title has eluded the Vikings.
The CNFR continues at the Ford Wyoming Center, with third go-round performances through Friday. The short go-round takes place Saturday. Performances begin at 8 o’clock central each evening.