Rustlers finish fall season strong

As the fall rodeo season came to a close this past weekend at Laramie County Community College, the Rustlers finished strong with Brady Thurston bringing home a winning title.

Thurston placed first in saddle bronc riding. In the long go-round he had a score of 65 which placed him in a tie for third but his score in the short go-round of 77 moved him into the number one spot. Thurston is now sitting second in the Central Rocky Mountain Region just 70 points away from Mason Mardesich of Otero Junior College who is in first.

“When I make two events in the short round it gets my blood going for the next event,” Thurston said. “I hope to keep this streak going for next season.”

Thurston also did well in the steer wrestling event; rounding out to a fourth place finish with a time of 6.4 seconds in the long go-round and 4.3 seconds in the short go-round. He had the second best time in the final round.

“Brady is a great competitor and understands how to win. There was no doubt in my mind that he was going to have a great short round when I saw the stock that he had drawn,” said Drew Schrock, rodeo coach. “In rodeo it is important to make the best run or ride possible on each animal but drawing the good one only comes around every so often so it’s important that you take advantage of the opportunity. Brady has a great work ethic and attitude day in and day out; he deserves to win and will continue to do so.”

Teammates Danny Huxtable and Taylor Davidson also placed in the top ten for the steer wrestling. Huxtable placed sixth with a time of 6.4 seconds in the short go-round and 5.7 seconds in the short go-round. Davidson placed tenth with 5.7 seconds in the long go-round and a no time in the final round.

Three steer wrestlers are placed in the top ten for the region. Thurston is in second followed by Dalton Burgener at third and Teigen Finnerty in fifth place.  

In the tie down event, Finnerty placed third with a time of 11.7 seconds in the long go-round and 13.8 seconds in the short go-round. Finnerty also placed in the team roping event with roping partner Seth Peterson of University of Wyoming. The team had the fastest time in the long go-round with six flat but received a no time in the short go-round.

The men’s team has had a great fall season and I look for them to continue to be successful at the next rodeos. We have a great group of competitors and it has been fun to watch them grow in their events and finish strong in the short rounds. ”

Drew Schrock, rodeo coach

Kassie Kautzman had a good run in the breakaway in the short go-round with 2.7 seconds but received a no time in the final round putting her in ninth overall. She is now sixth in the region standings.

“Kassie had a tough start to the season but she continues to work hard in arena,” Schrock said. “I know we will see more of her in the final rounds in the spring rodeo season. She’s been a positive competitor and has helped the women’s team have that winning mind set.”

Thurston received the All-Around title at the LCCC rodeo which helped the team place third at the rodeo and bumped the men’s team to just 13 points out of second place for the season. The men’s team finished the season with 1,615 points. Sheridan College is in first with 2,340 points and second is Chadron State College with 1,628.33 points.  

“I think the team rounded off the fall season really well,” Schrock said. “This winter we will continue to work hard at practice to be ready for spring season.”

Spring rodeo season will start March 17 at Gillette College.