Final Push: Wyoming Cowboys and Cowgirls Eye Championship Round at CNFR

Jeff Bugher
Jun 20
3 min read

Riata Day during go-round three. Photo by Jeff Bugher, PokesNews.com

CASPER, Wyo. - Friday night marks the end of the third go-round at the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR), and with it comes a final shot for the University of Wyoming’s rodeo athletes to qualify for Saturday night’s championship short-go. Only the top 12 in the aggregate will advance to Saturday, and several Cowboys and Cowgirls remain in the hunt.

Steer Wrestling

UW’s Jacob Wang (Baker, Mont.) has been a big contender in the bulldogging chute, clocking 7.8, 4.2, and 5.1 seconds three go's putting him second overall in the aggregate heading into tonight. With ten competitors still to wrestle, Wang is surly to return Saturday night and contend for a national title.

Rhett Witt (Valentine, Neb.) also competed in steer wrestling, but unfortunately was unable to get any scores.

Goat Tying

Wyoming has been impressive in this event all week.

Josie Mousel (Colman, S.D.) sits fourth overall with times of 7.6, 6.8, and 5.7 across three go-rounds. With only a few more competitors competing tonight, she’s nearly a lock for Saturday’s final round.
Landry Haugen (Sturgis, S.D.) had three consistent runs (7.9, 6.2, 6.6) and is on the bubble heading into the final night.
Riata Day (Fleming, Colo.), a CNFR veteran, was on pace for another great run Thursday before being forced to re-tie her goat, resulting in a 10.5-second time. Her average will keep her out of the top 12, a heartbreaking end to her final CNFR run.

Breakaway Roping

Jordyn McNamee (Buffalo, Wyo.) is in position to make noise tonight. With times of 2.9 and 2.8, a clean run in the third round could push her into the top five heading into the short-go.

Landry Haugen (Sturgis, S.D.), who recorded a 2.6-second time in round two, will rope tonight as well, though she’s out of short-go contention. She’ll be roping for pride and experience.

Tie-Down Roping

Rhett Witt (Valentine, Neb.) bounced back with solid times of 8.8 and 10.8 after not scoring in the first go-round.

Bareback Riding

University of Wyoming’s Colton Farrow (Greybull, Wyo.) posted rides of 70.0, 76.5, and 73.5 in the three rounds for a 220.0 total - putting him right on the edge of the top 12. But with eight more bareback riders left to go tonight, Farrow is at risk of falling just outside of the short-go cutoff.

Bull Riding

It’s been a tough week for University of Wyoming bull riders. Emmit Ross (Jackson, Wyo.) and Stefan Tonita (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada) didn't record any qualified rides throughout the week.

Team Roping

Troupe Coors (Loveland, Colo.) and Bodie Mattson (Sturgis, S.D.) turned in a 10.8-second time in their third go-round after having no times in go's one and two

Barrel Racing

Both UW barrel racers put up gritty efforts, but it won’t be enough to reach Saturday’s short round.

Emme Norsworthy (Thermopolis, Wyo.) clocked a 15.12, 14.54, and a 19.52 for a total of 49.18 seconds.
Rayne Grant (Wheatland, Wyo.) ran a fast 14.57 in round one and a 14.35 on Thursday night, but a 24.16 in go-round two sealed her fate. Her 53.08 aggregate puts her outside the cut.