Broncbusters wrap up spring rodeo season in Guymon
Photo by: Dale Hirschman/Hirschman Photos
GUYMON, OK — The GCCC Rodeo Team wrapped up the college rodeo regular season this past weekend at Oklahoma Panhandle State University's rodeo in Guymon, Okla. Seven athletes from the Men's Team qualified for the Short Go across four events, and four Broncbusters punched their ticket to the NIRA College National Finals Rodeo this summer in Casper, Wyo.
Kacen Nowicki claimed the Average title in the saddle bronc. He tied for third in the Long Go with a 75-point ride and dominated the Short Go with 84 points, the highest scoring ride of the rodeo. Brady Irvine also qualified back to the Short Go in saddle bronc and rode for 70 points after earning 72 points in the Long Go.
In the team roping, Jaytyn Hash and Jhett Vander Hamm took third in the Average as well as third in the Short Go. The pair made an 11.7-second run in the Long Go and finished with an 8.6-second Short Go run.
Three Broncbusters qualified back in the tie down roping. Jaytyn Hash made an 11.9-second run in the Long Go to tie for fifth, followed by a 16.5-second run in the Short Go. Riggs Rotenberger and Creek Williams each made a 13.0-second run in the Long Go. In the Short Go, Riggs made a 17.4-second run, and Creek made a 20.7-second run.
The steer wrestling also saw three Broncbusters qualify for the Short Go. Jaytyn Hash made a 14.0-second run, Roper Voskamp made a 14.4-second run, and Creek Williams made a 15.1-second run in the Long Go. All three athletes took a No Time in the Short Go with a tough pen of steers.
Creek Williams' horse Slim Shady, also known as Slim, took home the Central Plains' Horse of the Year award, and the Men's Team finished third in the region with a total of 3608.33 points across 10 rodeos. Although this does not qualify the Men's Team to compete in Casper, it is the most points earned by the Men's Team in the program's history.
CNFR Bound Broncbusters
This year's rodeo season is not yet finished for four Broncbusters, and they will be competing on college rodeo's biggest stage later this summer.
Rhett Robbins finished the regular season as the reserve regional champion in the bareback riding to qualify for Casper with a total of 950 points.
Jhett Vander Hamm qualified for the upcoming CNFR in two events. He finished third in the region in the tie down roping with a cumulative 440 points, and he and his partner Jaytyn Hash finished third in the team roping as well with 450 points. Jhett also finished third in the regional All-Around standings with his 890 points.
Nick Lovins will also be seen in Casper in the team roping. He will be heeling for his partner Heston Harrison from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
Although he will not be competing at the CNFR, Brady Irvine finished fourth in the region in saddle bronc with 693.33 total points.
For complete results and standings, visit centralplainsregionrodeo.com or collegerodeo.com.