General | 6/28/2022 7:10:00 PM

Panhandle State Rodeo Had Top 10 Finishes In the Nation

Panhandle State sent 6 cowboys and cowgirls to the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming. The student athletes competing in three full go rounds with the best from all regions across the United States with the top 12 in the average coming back for the short go. 

Head Coach, Robert Etbauer, commented, "We had a great group of kids that worked hard to get there, and we couldn't be more proud of them."

Junior, Mckenna Brennan, kept her focus on being consistent as she competed in the Breakaway and Goat Tying. In the Breakaway Roping, she made 3 solid runs with a 2.5-seconds in the first round, 3.1-seconds in the second round, and 2.7-second in the third round. She held her breathe to see if she would make the short go, and she came back with high hopes. Brennan made a business run stopping the clock at 3-seconds to place sixth in the short go and fifth in the nation. Fellow teammate, senior, Beau Peterson, joined her in Casper in the Breakaway, but unfortunately had bad luck in all three rounds.

Just before the CNFR, Brennan was forced to make a horse change in the Goat Tying due to her mount getting injured. She was 6.8-seconds in the first round, and her fastest time was 6.7-seconds in the second round. Unfortunately, a small speed jam took out her chances of making the short go in that event and said goodbye to a chance at a national title. 

Senior, TJ Schmidt, made his final CNFR trip one he will hold on to for years to come. He split the second round between third and fourth place which sealed his spot into the short go. Schmidt finished his final ride in his college career seventh in the nation. 

Staying at the bucking chutes for the seniors of Panhandle State, Ira Dickinson and Ean Price, went to Casper with their eyes set high. Dickinson made a ride of 73-points in the first round which placed him eleventh. Price took the spotlight in the second round for the Aggies with a ride of 60-points. Dickinson and Price met their matches in the other rounds and fell short of the buzzer in the respective rounds leaving their college careers with an unfinished feeling. 

Freshman, Tom Simpson, went into the CNFR with a hunger to win with a veteran mental game to stay in the average. In the first round, he was 11.6-seconds to split twelfth and thirteen. Simpson continued with a 14.6-second run in the second round, but a no time in the third round took away his shot at a national title for the year. 

Women's Rodeo Coach, Shelbie Rose, commented, "These kids worked hard and stay focused. We were hoping for a national title, but I couldn't be more proud of the team we had to represent us. Now it's time to look forward to the next season, and be back next year."

Panhandle State rodeo will have Brennan and Simpson back for the next season which will kick off in September. The four seniors of Dickinson, Peterson, Price, and Schmidt will continue to represent OPSU as alumni in the rodeo and professional world.