June 17, 2009
University of Wyoming all-around cowgirl Nikki Steffes accepts the Walt Garrison Top
Hand Award during Tuesday's performance at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper.
The award is for character and leadership among other criteria. Former NFL All-Pro
and professional rodeo competitor Walt Garrison stands to the right of Steffes. (Aaron
Ontiveroz Photo)
The awards keep piling up for the University of Wyoming's top all-around rodeo team
member.
Nikki Steffes is the recipient of the Walt Garrison Top Hand Award. She was honored
Monday night at a College National Finals Rodeo dinner in Casper and received the
award during Tuesday's night performance.
Steffes, a molecular biology/medical microbiology senior from Vale, S.D., and UW will
each receive $2,500.
The Garrison Award is given annually to the individual who exemplifies the qualities
of initiative, loyalty, tenacity, commitment, honesty, perseverance, integrity and
leadership. The award is named for Walt Garrison, the former pro football player for
the Dallas Cowboys, who was on hand to present the award to Steffes.
This is the 10th year the award has been given during the CNFR. Steffes is the first
UW team member to win the honor.
Students are nominated by their respective regional representatives, with the winner
being chosen by the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Board of Directors.
"I was honored to just be selected from my region," Steffes says. "Then the nominees
at the national level were just amazing. I am really honored to be selected as the
national recipient."
Steffes, who made the President's Honor Roll every semester at UW, carried a perfect
4.0 GPA during her four-year collegiate rodeo career.
According the rodeo association's announcement of her award, Steffes was noted for
her work ethic, ability to relate to others and leadership qualities that have all
earned "her the respect from college rodeo coaches and family members, and most important,
her peers. She is the epitome of a true all-around cowgirl."
Steffes has qualified for the CNFR all four years during her UW career. She is the
school's all-time leading individual scorer, winning the regional all-around title
all four seasons. She has won the regional barrel racing title all four years and
was the goat tying champion three times.
At the CNFR, Steffes won the national all-around title in 2007 and has been the national
goat tying runner-up the past two seasons. Going into the third round of goat tying
competition at this week's CNFR, Steffes is third in the average in her specialty
event and is sixth in the all-around points chase.
"A lot of people have helped me along the way. My parents made sure I got the opportunities
to learn about rodeo from great people," a humble Steffes says. "I have a really supportive
family as well. No matter what college you are from, coaches and contestants from
other regions are always supportive of one another. That's what makes college rodeo
so unique and special."
Earlier this season, Steffes said she would like to give professional rodeo a try
before returning to graduate school to either become a dentist or a medical doctor.
As the regional student director, the UW senior will return next fall to compete in
the rodeo arena once again. But because her eligibility has run out, her individual
points cannot be used for the Cowgirls' team.
After receiving the Garrison Award, Steffes was quick to answer what award she has
not won during her illustrious rodeo career.
"A national goat tying award would be nice," she said smiling.
Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009
