Men's Rodeo Ready for Competition at College National Finals Rodeo
Casper, Wyo., (June 7, 2024)- The Missouri Valley College men's rodeo team will open competition this weekend at the 2024 College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo., which begins Sunday and lasts through June 15.
Leading the men's rodeo team is former National champion and two-time All-American Senior Ty Pope (Waverly, Kan.), who will compete in both bareback riding and saddle bronc riding. Pope was the Ozark Region champion in bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and the all-around this season. He goes into the CNFR as the Nation's leader in the all-around standings and saddle bronc riding. Pope was the bareback riding National champion in 2022.
Also competing in bareback riding for the men's rodeo team are Sophomore Kooper Heimburg (San Tan Valley, Ariz.) and Senior Colt Eck (Redfield, Kan.). Heimburg is a returning All-American, finishing fifth in bareback riding last season, and was the Ozark Region reserve champion in the event this season. Eck advanced to the short go-round at the 2023 CNFR, and placed ninth in the final bareback riding standings last year.
Joining Pope in saddle bronc riding is Senior Samuel Freeman (Cadiz, Ky.). Freeman finished No. 30 in the event at last year's CNFR, and was the Ozark Region reserve champion this season. Also, the pair of Senior Nathan Pelke (Mondovi, Wis.) and Senior Easton Kerby (Lancaster, Iowa) will compete in the team roping event.
The men's team dominated the Ozark Region standings during the 2023-24 regular season, finishing with a total of 7,765 points to win an eighth-straight Ozark Region championship. Second place was West Alabama with 4,110 points on the season. Going into the CNFR, the Vikings are third in the National standings, behind Treasure Valley (Ore.) with 10,269.50 points and Montana State with 8,252.50 points.
Competition begins with first go-rounds for each of the bareback riding and saddle bronc riding competitors Sunday afternoon. The team roping first go-round is Monday. Second go-rounds continue through the day on Monday, and during the Tuesday morning session. Third go-rounds for the men's rodeo team begin Wednesday evening with Heimburg the first to perform in bareback riding. Thursday third go-rounds include both Freeman and Pope in saddle bronc riding, Eck in bareback riding and the pair of Pelke and Kerby in team roping. The final third go-round performance for the team will be Pope in bareback riding, Friday. Those advancing to the short go-round will perform for a fourth time in the championship finals, Saturday, June 15, beginning at 7 p.m.
The 2024 College National Finals Rodeo runs June 9 through June 15 at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper, Wyo.
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