Breakaway Ropers Impress at OPSU Rodeo, Poer Clinches Spot to CNFR
April 27, 2026
GUYMON, Okla. The Oklahoma Panhandle State rodeo teams finished their season April 23-25 within the Central Plains Region at their home "Doc" Gardner Memorial Rodeo, where the women's team placed eighth and the men took 12th.
Helen Poer claimed the breakaway roping title, securing her spot to the College National Finals Rodeo held in Casper, Wyoming, in June 2026. Poer accumulated 465 points in the breakaway throughout the season all of which came in the past month since the Gruver, Texas, native placed first in the average at the Garden City Rodeo in late March.
Women's Performances
Poer swept the fastest times in both the long and short rounds of the breakaway roping at 2.3 and 2.9 seconds, respectively, to earn the title of reserve champion breakaway roper. She garnered 180 points individually, catapulting the junior to second in the season-long standings and sending her to the CNFR.
Also competing in the breakaway was Layni Masters. The junior from Leon, Iowa, collected 50 points for the Aggie cowgirls in the first go with an impressive time of 2.4 seconds.
Men's Performances
Three OPSU cowboys made finals, including two saddle bronc riders.
Riley Stark took advantage of a re-ride in the long round to post a score of 73, good for a share of eighth-ninth and 15 team points. Stark then had a 69-point ride in finals to split eighth-ninth in the average.
Individually, freshman Aiden Coan also had a first-round score of 73 but did not record a score in the short go.
Brayden Kunz was the final Aggie to make the short go, as the Milan, Kansas, native competed in the tie-down roping. Kunz stopped the clock at 12.3 and 13.7 seconds, respectively, to take seventh in the average.
What's up next: Under six-time Central Plains Region Coach of the Year, Shelbie Rose, the future and winning tradition of OPSU Rodeo figures to remain strong in 2026-27. In the meantime, Poer will gear up for her trip to the CNFR in Casper, Wyoming, in June. Stay tuned to opsuaggies.com for further details as the College National Finals Rodeo approaches.
Helen Poer claimed the breakaway roping title, securing her spot to the College National Finals Rodeo held in Casper, Wyoming, in June 2026. Poer accumulated 465 points in the breakaway throughout the season all of which came in the past month since the Gruver, Texas, native placed first in the average at the Garden City Rodeo in late March.
Women's Performances
Poer swept the fastest times in both the long and short rounds of the breakaway roping at 2.3 and 2.9 seconds, respectively, to earn the title of reserve champion breakaway roper. She garnered 180 points individually, catapulting the junior to second in the season-long standings and sending her to the CNFR.
Also competing in the breakaway was Layni Masters. The junior from Leon, Iowa, collected 50 points for the Aggie cowgirls in the first go with an impressive time of 2.4 seconds.
Men's Performances
Three OPSU cowboys made finals, including two saddle bronc riders.
Riley Stark took advantage of a re-ride in the long round to post a score of 73, good for a share of eighth-ninth and 15 team points. Stark then had a 69-point ride in finals to split eighth-ninth in the average.
Individually, freshman Aiden Coan also had a first-round score of 73 but did not record a score in the short go.
Brayden Kunz was the final Aggie to make the short go, as the Milan, Kansas, native competed in the tie-down roping. Kunz stopped the clock at 12.3 and 13.7 seconds, respectively, to take seventh in the average.
What's up next: Under six-time Central Plains Region Coach of the Year, Shelbie Rose, the future and winning tradition of OPSU Rodeo figures to remain strong in 2026-27. In the meantime, Poer will gear up for her trip to the CNFR in Casper, Wyoming, in June. Stay tuned to opsuaggies.com for further details as the College National Finals Rodeo approaches.
