College National Finals Rodeo 2018 in Casper, Wyoming

For the 20th year, the annual College National Finals Rodeo will commence on June 10 at the Casper Events Center. More than 400 cowboys and cowgirls representing more than 100 colleges from across the country plan on competing in various events. College students compete in 11 regional National Intercollegiate Rodeos in order to qualify for the CNFR. Competitions continue through June 16, 2018.
History of the College National Rodeo
After the end of WWII, rodeos on the college level became more popular. As a result, 12 institutions met to create the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association in Alpine, Texas in 1948. By 1962, the College National Finals Rodeo was seen on the Wide World of Sports on ABC. Three years later, NBC presented the finals. ABC again broadcasted the popular rodeo in 1967. By this time, 97 schools were part of the NIRA. The sport of rodeo became more and more popular at the college and professional levels. Since the first CNFR, many now-famous people are alumni as champion college or PRCA rodeo competitors. The long list of familiar names includes Chris LeDoux, Roy Cooper and Ty Murray.
CFNR Events
The College National Finals Rodeo features a number of events commonly seen during PRCA competitions in addition to a few more. Rodeo fans and competitor family members and friends enjoy watching the excitement of the:
• Bareback and saddle bronc riding
• Barrel racing
• Breakaway roping
• Bull riding
• Goat tying
• Steer wrestling
• Team and tie-down roping
Current Standings
As of May 6, 2018, students from the Montana State University remain in the lead with 915 points.
Leader standings in individual events are as follows:
• Men’s All Around-Caleb Sloan McMillan-Northwest College-290 points
• Women’s All Around-Shelby Rae Rasmussen-Montana State University-310 points
• Bareback riding- Tristan Raymond Hansen-University of Montana, Western-150 points
• Saddle bronc riding-Michael Tyler Turco-University of Montana-143 points
• Barrel racing-Jane Anna Hasper-University of Montana, Western-26.92 seconds
• Breakaway roping-Marlee Ruth Mussman-University of Montana, Western-5.1 seconds
• Bull riding-Kelly Paul Murion-University of Montana, Western-77
• Goat tying-Shelby Rae Rasmussen-MSU-14.3 seconds
• Steer wrestling-Will Schall Powell-Montana State University-9.5 seconds
• Team roping-Bubba Aaron Boots and Matthew Lynn Williams-Northwest College-13.9 seconds
• Tie-down roping-Lane Earl McGill-Montana State University-23 seconds
Tickets
CNFR tickets for individuals days or the entire rodeo series are available at the Casper Event Center or here online.
In order to keep Western sports fans updated on all of the CNFR events as they unfold, the Cowboy Lifestyle Network, the Ak-Chin Indian Community and the Earnhardt Auto Centers Road Team will provide media coverage throughout the week.