Both Pioneer men's and women's rodeo teams finished in 4th place at the final rodeo of the 2023-24 season in Missoula on Friday and Saturday.
The Pioneer women scored 135 points as Montana State took home another title with 385 points. MSU-Northern was a distant 2nd with 180 points and the University of Montana was 3rd with 160.
Mary Gibson (Havre, MT) won the goat tying title after tying for 5th in the long go with a time of 7.5 seconds and winning the short go with a time of 6.9 seconds. Her total time of 14.4 easily outdistanced the 2nd place finish of 15.1.
Grady Larson (Header - Sidney, MT) and Caden Rhoads (Heeler - Bighorn, MT) had a strong weekend in team roping earning a 2nd place finish. They finished 3rd in the long go with a time of 9.2 and followed that up with a 2nd place finishe in the short go at 9.3. Their 18.5 time gave them 2nd place behind team from Northwest College at 13.3.
Rhoads also finished 6th in the long go for Tie Down Roping.
Payton Kunst (Miles City, MT) earned a 3rd place finish in Saddle Bronc Riding in the long go with a score of 67. That was his lone scored ride of the weekend but also gave him a 6th place finish overall.
2023-24 Final Standings (7 Teams Compete in the Big Sky Region)
The MCC Pioneer men's rodeo team finished in 6th place with 1,519 points on the season and the women's team finished in 4th place with 1,372.33 points.
Ashton Frei (Killdeer, ND) finished in 6th place for Saddle Bronc Riding with 290 points.
Taylor Burgee (Onida, SD) finished in 6th place for Breakaway Roping with 235 points.
Tycie Phalen (Miles City, MT) finished in 6th place for Barrel Racing with 345 points.
Owen Carlson (Pine River, MN) finished 7th in Bull Riding.
Chris Boardman (Moorcroft, WY) finished 8th in Bull Riding.
The team of Grady Larson and Caden Rhoads finished in 9th place for Team Roping with 215 points.
Mary Gibson (Havre, MT) finished in 9th place for Goat Tying with 301 points.
Regional Awards: Most Improved Rodeo and Coach Sylvan La Cross was named Big Sky Region Coach of the Year.
**The photo in the caption was taken by Bree Swanson (MCC Student/Athlete).