MSU-N womens rodeo qualifies for College National Finals Rodeo

After wrapping up their season, the Montana State University-Northern rodeo teams will now prepare for the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming, next month.

With its performance over the past season, the MSU-N women's team qualified for the rodeo. However, the Skylights will only be able to send three riders to Casper to compete. Thankfully for the Skylights, they will be sending some strong competitors.

Brittney Cox will head to the CNFR to compete in barrel racing after finishing first in the standings in the Big Sky this past season. Georgia Orahood qualified for the CNFR after finishing eighth in breakaway roping in the Big Sky this past season.

Mikenna Schauer will compete in two different events for the Skylights: breakaway roping and goat tying. Schauer finished the season sixth in women's all-around in the Big Sky as she finished sixth in goat tying and seventh in breakaway roping in the regional standings.

It is the second straight year that the Skylights qualified for the CNFR as a team. With the Skylights again taking a spot on the national stage, MSU-N head coach Doug Kallenberger believes it demonstrates the hard work and the drive of his riders.

"I think it just shows the dedication by the kids," Kallenberger said. "The kids have shown extreme dedication. They put in a lot of long hard hours. It's been great to see their leadership and how much dedication they want to pour into it to go back for a second time."

The MSU-N men's rodeo team will also send several riders to the CNFR to compete as individuals. Garrett Cunningham will compete in saddle bronc riding at the CNFR after finishing first in the Big Sky standings.

Ethan Frasier will compete in bareback riding after taking second in the regional standings this past season. Cameron Falcon will head to the CNFR to compete in bull riding after finishing tied for fourth in the Big Sky.

While the MSU-N rodeo teams are young, they do bring experience with them to the CNFR. In 2022, Cox, Schauer, Cunningham and Frasier all competed in the CNFR. With their experience on the big stage, Kallenberger expects them to perform well this time out.

"When you've been to the dance before, it relieves a little bit of that uncertain pressure," Kallenberger said. "I expect them to be a little bit more relaxed and enjoy it and I think they'll compete at a better level."

The MSU-N rodeo teams will begin the CNFR June 9 in Casper, Wyoming.