Local, regional riders wrap up College National Finals Rodeo
Results were a mixed bag for local and regional riders competing in the College National Finals Rodeo at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper.
Results were a mixed bag for local and regional riders competing in the College National Finals Rodeo at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper. The weeklong showcase wrapped up Saturday, June 15.
Approximately 100 college rodeo programs sent 400 cowgirls and cowboys to the annual showdown.
"While we wanted to come out on top, we're still very proud of the efforts that our student-athletes put forth," said Casey Sellers, Gillette College assistant coach.
Freshman Thayne Elshere finished as saddle bronc riding rookie champ after winning a round. He ended up 11th nationwide in bull riding.
Senior Cooper Filipek won a round of the bareback riding and was the Reserve National Champion bareback rider by a half-point, while sophomore Ty Moser finished 10th in a round of the tie down roping.
Freshman Tel Sorenson finished 15th overall in team roping working the heeling side, with a 7th place finish in round 3.
UW senior and Gillette native Weston Mills and Gillette College junior Coy Johnson finished 22nd in the nation in the team roping, along with a second-place finish in the 1st round.
Local cowgirl and sophomore Ashlyn Goven finished 19th nationally in the barrel racing, placing 9th in the first round and 11th in the second round.
Gillette College sophomore Haiden Thompson emerged 22nd in barrel racing and finished 3rd in the nation in Goat Tying.
Sophomore Staheli Adams finished 19th in the breakaway roping after putting three impressive runs together.
RaeLee Caldwell, a Thunder Basin graduate, also competed in the event for Eastern Wyoming College.
Wacey Schalla of Clarendon College in Texas earned top honors in the Men's All-Around scoring. For the women, Madalyn Richards of Texas A&M registered the most points all around.