The MCC Pioneer rodeo teams are getting set to start their respective spring seasons with sights set on the CNFR in Casper, Wyoming from June 9-15. According to Pioneer head rodeo coach Sylvan La Cross,  it's still anyone's game in most of the events across the region.

Both Pioneer teams saw some success in fall and Coach La Cross really looking for the women's team to make a big run this spring. The women currently sit in 3^rd place in the region with a great opportunity to close the gap on second-place Montana State University this weekend. "If all of our girls can hit on the same day, the top 2 teams better look out!" said Coach La Cross.  The top 2 teams on both the men's and women's side automatically qualify for the CNFR. 

"On the Men's side, Owen Carlson (Pine River, MN) could be looking at a return trip to the CNFR in the bull riding if he can capitalize on his draws this spring. His hip surgery in the fall went well and we have seen some improvements over the last few weeks of practice. Grady Larson (Sidney, MT) isn't completely shut out his dreams of qualifying for the CNFR in the tie down roping. MSU has lost a lot of top men's athletes due to eligibility, many of which were multi-event cowboys, so Grady needs to take advantage of that and use it to climb the standings from his 12^th place current position."

The Pioneer women currently have some exciting placings going to spring action. Freshman Taylor Burgee (Onida, SD) is currently 7^th place in barrels and 6^th in the breakaway roping. Sophomore Tycie Phalen (Miles City, MT) is holding on to 5^th place in the barrels and 12^th in the breakaway roping. "Her main barrel horse, Maggie, is out for most of the spring season and her upcoming futurity colt, Canyon, has already clocked some impressive times in our home arena as well as some of the local barrel races. Both of these girls are looking to keep climbing the standings to qualify for the CNFR."

Mary Gibson (Havre, MT) has had a great comeback year after struggling her freshman season. She is currently 9th place in breakaway roping and goat tying. Fellow sophomore Cierra Vons Cooper (Reno, NV) is sitting 11^th in the goat tying.

The Pioneers have also gained new members to compete this spring and all are local Miles City products. Ryley Bice will compete the full spring season in the Breakaway Roping after graduating from Northwest College and decided to join us this semester. Payton Kuntz will ride saddle bronc and Cadence Schweigert will compete in barrel Racing and breakaway roping. Schweigert attended Clarendon College in the fall and transferred back to MCC. They will sit out of both rodeos at MSU and the first rodeo at MCC. They will be able to compete at the MCC rodeo #2 on April 20-21.

"The team has had some successful practices so far this spring. We have been fortunate enough to have a few roughstock clinics and a breakaway clinic for our team to take part in. A big thanks to Bryce Bott and Parker Murnion for swinging in on occasion to lend a different perspective and expertise with our ropers. I'm hoping that this spring will really heat up for the Pioneers.  We have the talent and determination to do big things, now we just need to make it happen!"