A pair of Lights riding in the CNFR this week

There’s going to be plenty of rodeo excitement over the next few months, especially in and around the Hi-Line. But for several area cowboys and cowgirls, the fun has already started.

A pair of Montana State University-Northern rough stock riders are at the College National Finals Rodeo this week in Casper, Wyo. Northern senior saddle bronc rider Robert Wagner and junior bull rider Charlie Mack have both competed in two rounds at the 2013 CNFR.

Wagner finished fifth in the first round of the saddle bronc competition earlier this week, scoring a 71 on his first ride. Wagner didn’t score in the second round. He has two more rides to go this week. Wagner, from Browning, is making his second straight appearance at the CNFR.

Meanwhile, Mack has competed in two rounds of bull riding, and has yet to stay on for a qualified ride. Mack also has the third round and the short go remaining in his first trip to the CNFR.

Last weekend saw the Montana State High School Rodeo Finals conclude in Belgrade.

Chinook’s Merle Young captured the year-end championship in saddle bronc riding with a total of 128 points. Hays-Lodge Pole’s Trevin Fox finished second in the steer wrestling with 124 points, and he also had an outstanding time of 5.12 in the championship go. Zortman’s Brandon Krueger placed in the tie-down roping with a total of 70 points.