Rodeo Teams Finish Fall Seasons at Murray State
Murray, Ky., (Nov. 20, 2023)- The Missouri Valley College rodeo programs finished their fall competition schedule competing at the Murray State (Ky.) rodeo in Murray, Ky. The men's team finished second overall and the women's team placed fifth.
The Viking men's rodeo team claimed the top four spots in the bareback riding average, led by average winner Sophomore Kooper Heimburg (San Tan Valley, Ariz.), who finished with a 162. Heimburg posted a 74 in the first go-round, then followed with an 88 to win the second go-round. He finished with 135 points. Senior Colt Eck (Redfield, Kan.) was second in the average with a 161. He finished with a 79 in the first go-round, and followed with an 82 to place second in the second go-round. He earned 140 points. Freshman Jason Wilson (Pownal, Vt.) was third with a 151 average. He placed second in the first go-round with an 81, and earned 120 points. Sophomore Hayden Leavell (Ozark, Ark.) was fourth in the average with a 150 to earn 85 points. Senior Ty Pope (Waverly, Kan.) won the first go-round and earned 60 points.
In saddle bronc riding, Pope won the first go-round with a 76, and finished third in the average to collect 100 points. Senior Tyler Freeman (Cadiz, Ky.) won the second go-round of saddle bronc riding with a 74 and earned 60 points. In steer wrestling, Freshman Kade Foster (Newark, Ill.) finished second in the first go-round with a 5.0 and earned 60 points. Leavell finished third in the first go-round with a 5.3 and earned 35 points.
On the women's side, Senior Betsy Roemer (Jonesboro, Ark.) finished second in the goat tying average with a 13.4. She won the second go-round with a 6.3 and earned 110 points. Sophomore Gabby Roberts (Harrison, Ark.) placed third in the goat tying average with a 13.9 and earned 80 points. Freshman Kalyani Das (Las Crases, N.M.) placed fourth in the barrel racing average with a 28.56 and earned 80 points.
The Viking men's rodeo team finished second overall with 625 points. Northwest Mississippi won the rodeo with 635 points. The women's team placed fifth with 110 points. Tennessee-Martin was first with 373.33 points.
The rodeo teams now enter the winter break. The season will resume with the Pearl River (Miss.) rodeo in Poplarville, Miss., March 21-23.
About Missouri Valley College
Known for its dynamic, richly diverse, and friendly educational environment, Missouri Valley College offers many opportunities to grow in mind, body, and spirit. Grounded in the liberal arts, undergraduate studies empower students to master interdisciplinary skills needed to succeed in a knowledge-based global society. MVC offers over 40 academic programs, study abroad program, honors program, extracurricular activities, and 13 sports. The most popular majors include education and business, and some new majors are ag-business, nursing, graphic design, and health information systems (associate degree). Above all, Valley is committed to student success. For more information, call (660) 831-4000 or visit www.moval.edu.