“Nobody Remembers Who Won Second”: Jordyn McNamee All-In for CNFR

Jeff Bugher
Jun 12
4 min read

Updated: Jun 14

Jordyn McNamee is ready for her second CNFR. Photo by Emily Gerlach, Emily Gerlach Photography

CASPER, Wyo. - University of Wyoming rodeo contestant Jordyn McNamee is no stranger to the rodeo scene. Next week, as she heads into her second trip to the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in Casper, the Wyoming-raised breakaway roper is more focused, prepared, and determined than ever.

Her outlook on next week: “Nobody remembers who won second,” McNamee said. “I'm either going to come out on top, or you might not hear my name. But I want to go for it this year because I don't think another trip is ever guaranteed, no matter who you are.”

Born and Raised in Wyoming

Though technically not born there, McNamee considers Buffalo, Wyoming, home.

“My dad’s moving back to Buffalo, so I'll just claim that,” she laughed.

Her family has roots across the state - from Laramie, where McNamee was born, to Hulett, where she spent part of her childhood, and finally Buffalo, where she finished high school.

A Rodeo Upbringing

McNamee’s rodeo journey started early during her childhood. One could say she was born into the ranch and rodeo life.

“My dad rodeoed when he was younger and then my mom was a veterinarian, so I was just always around livestock. My grandparents ranched and… I just really gravitated towards it,” she said. “I've probably been rodeoing since I was five or six.”

She started in junior rodeos, advanced to junior high rodeo, and then high school rodeo. Looking for an event she wanted to compete in, she competed in barrel racing, pole bending, and goat tying before narrowing her focus to breakaway roping for the last two years in college.

“In high school, I only did barrels, poles, and breakaway. Then I picked up the team roping when I got to college,” she said. “I ran barrels the first two years of college, but I dropped that because I was roping off my barrel horse and wanted to save him just for breakaway.”

McNamee credits her father as her most significant rodeo influence.

Carrying Her Mother’s Spirit Into the Arena

Behind McNamee’s competitive nature is a story.

Her mother, Kelly Palm, was a veterinarian in Laramie who passed away from cancer in 2009, when Jordyn was just seven years old. The loss had a profound impact and played a significant role in shaping the person she is today.

“100% yeah, absolutely that did [losing her mom at a young age],” McNamee said. “Even just like the pride that I take in caring for my animals… I always want to honor her in the best way possible.”

Jordyn’s mom, always wanted to rodeo herself, but never had the opportunity. For Jordyn, competing at this level carries more profound meaning.

“Just how I carry myself and how I care for my livestock and all of that is obviously a tribute to her,” she said. “The fact that I'm able to do that at the level I'm able to is pretty cool for me.”

Life Beyond the Arena

McNamee graduated in May with her bachelor’s degree in business management, marketing, and entrepreneurship, but she’s not done yet. She plans to return to UW in the fall to pursue her MBA and take advantage of a final year of collegiate eligibility.

“I know I don't want to be an adult quite yet,” she joked. “Honestly, I'm not sure what I want to do after college. That might be why I'm still going to college.”

Her father, Mark McNamee, works in real estate, a field that has sparked some interest in Jordyn, but for now, she’s focused on the CNFR and the team she’s been a part of for four years.

Memories in Laramie: Friends Made

“I've lived with some girls that I've rodeoed with, and they're going to be lifelong friends for me,” she said. “I've just built such a community through this sport… I don't think that's something you can replace or replicate in any other environment.”

Support from the Stands

As McNamee heads into her second CNFR this Sunday, she’ll have plenty of familiar faces in the crowd.

“My grandparents live right outside of Laramie, so they'll make the trip up,” she said. “And then I've got a huge family. My dad is one of ten kids, and they all live pretty close. So I should have quite a few people in the stands, which is a huge blessing.”

Whether she brings home the hardware or not, one thing’s for sure: Jordyn McNamee will leave it all in the arena.

“Go Pokes,” McNamee added to conclude the interview.

The CNFR will be held at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper, Wyoming, from June 16th through the 21st.