Northern rodeo season gets started in Wyoming

While many in Havre are enjoying the return of football and volleyball to the Hi-Line this fall, the return of the Montana State University-Northern rodeo should not be forgotten. In their two rodeos to start the season this weekend at Northwest Community College in Cody, Wyoming, the women's team finished first and third. Meanwhile, the men's team took sixth in both of their rodeos.

The first rodeo in Cody took place Saturday. The MSU-N women's team finished third behind Montana State University and University of Montana Western who took first and second. MSU-N rider Brittany Cox took first in barrel racing while Mikenna Schauer finished third in breakaway roping.

The MSU-N men's team did not do as well in the first rodeo as they finished sixth. Montana State University also won that rodeo while Miles City Community College came in second and UMW took third.

The MSU-N women's team won the second rodeo Sunday ahead of Montana State University. Schauer again had a solid showing as she won the breakaway roping competition. While she did not perform as well as she did Saturday, Cox still finished fourth in barrel racing Sunday. MSU-N rider Callie Otoupalik took second in breakaway roping Sunday. Jill Marcenko also had a strong day as she placed fourth in breakaway roping and 10th in goat tying.

Not only was the win a great way to end the weekend but it also moved the Skylights up in the standings. With 611 points, they are now right behind Montana State University for the top spot in the standings.

On Sunday, the MSU-N men's team again took sixth place but there were some bright spots. In his first rodeo as a Light, freshman Chance Story took third in steer wrestling. Montana State University also won that meet while Northwest College took second and Miles City Community College took third.

The MSU-N rodeo teams will next compete at Dawson Community College in Glendive this weekend.