UW Rodeo Teams Open Spring Schedule This Weekend at Gillette College

Spring is when collegiate rodeo teams make their move to solidify weekly performances that will lead to automatic bids to the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) this summer in Casper.

Both the UW rodeo teams will attempt to finish among the top two teams in the Central Rocky Mountain Region (CRMR) that will lead to automatic berths in the CNFR. The top three individuals in each of the men’s and women’s events also can earn spots to collegiate rodeo’s grand finale in Casper.

First-year head Coach Seth Glause’s men’s team is just outside the fringe of earning one of the top two CNFR automatic bids. The UW men accumulated 1,960 points during the fall season and trail second-place Casper College by 320 points. Gillette College has held onto first place in the regional standings since the get-go and has 2,315 points through five rodeos.

The Cowgirls, meanwhile, are fighting this spring to hang onto second place in the CRMR. The UW women scored 1,167.5 points during the fall portion of the 2023-24 schedule and have just a 70-point lead against third-place Laramie County Community College. Just like their male counterparts, the Gillette College women have a firm grip on first place with 1,880 points.

“I expect some exciting races to develop and shake out over the next few weeks,” Glause says as he prepares his team for the two-month spring season. “Our own JCA Laramie River Rendezvous Rodeo will be exciting, with students competing to lock their spots to the CNFR. We are excited for this spring season and have high expectations for our student-athletes to continue to compete at a high level.”

UW’s home rodeo is Friday-Sunday, April 19-21.

The Cowboys’ six-man points team for the spring opener will feature many of the same competitors from the fall slate, but the club will be bolstered by the return of two-time CNFR bareback riding qualifier Brice Patterson. The Bozeman, Mont., Cowboy is coming off shoulder surgery.

Also expected on the points team are Saratoga’s Kaden Berger in steer wrestling, and team and tie-down roping; David Gallagher, of Brighton, Colo., will compete in steer wrestling and both roping events; Cam Jensen, from Bingham, Neb., also will compete in the same events; Bodie Mattson, of Sturgis, S.D., will be in both roping events; and Rio Nutter, from Rapid City, S.D., will compete in both roping events and steer wrestling,

On the women’s points team will be Riata Day, of Fleming, Colo., in all three women’s events -- goat tying, breakaway roping and barrel racing; Landry Haugen, from Sturgis, S.D., will compete in all three women’s events, plus team roping; Olivia Lay, of Elbert, Colo., will be in the breakaway and team roping events; and Josie Mousel, from Egan, S.D., will be in three events -- goat tying and breakaway and team roping.

“The spring practices have definitely been going well. Our student-athletes look ready to compete,” Glause says. “We are expecting great results this spring. We have goals set and look forward to seeing our student-athletes achieve them.”

He says the key to success will be to capitalize on Sundays to make the short go rides and runs count and to stay consistent at all of the rodeos.

“Assistant Coach Jacey Hupp and I are proud of the effort our students have made in practice and in the classroom,” Glause adds. “They continue to impress us every day.”