Bobcats buckle down for rodeo weekend

The annual MSU Spring Rodeo made its way to campus April 11-14, featuring multiple schools from across the Pacific Northwest: Dawson Community College, Miles Community College, University of Montana, University of Montana-Western, Northwest College in Wyoming, MSU-Northern and MSU.

The rodeo brought in crowds from all over to the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse over the course of the four-day event. MSU ended the weekend with much to be proud of, including several individual event titles, each earning a new buckle from Murdoch's.

MSU Head Rodeo Coach Andy Bolich was extremely pleased with how the rodeo turned out. “The spring rodeo was great,” Bolich said. “Our team competed well, and we had great attendance.” The attendance was remarkable, breaking records each day.

Bobcat freshman Samantha Kerns proved herself throughout the weekend, joining senior Jack Graham as winners of the All-Around titles in their respective divisions. Along with this, for the first time in three years the MSU men’s and women’s teams both took home first.

Many Bobcats other than Kerns and Graham helped earn MSU the title. Junior Matt Williams and Graham took home the top spot in team roping. Sophomore Shelby Rasmussen, daughter of famed PBR rodeo clown Flint Rasmussen, placed first in barrel racing. Senior Celie Salmond grabbed first in breakaway roping, and freshman Caleb Berquist nabbed the top rank in tie-down roping.

With a university as developed in the time-honored traditions of agriculture and rodeo in Montana, MSU is still at the forefront of the art of rodeo in the showcase each spring. These boots were made for walking, or in this case, riding and roping.