MPCC finishes first in three events at Stampede

Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team member Whitney Jennings competes in the breakaway roping at the MPCC Stampede over the weekend at the Wild West Arena in North Platte. Jennings won the event in the first rodeo of the doubleheader.

The Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team used a home arena advantage to snag three first-place finishes over the weekend.

The team hosted the MPCC Stampede Thursday through Saturday at the Wild West Arena in North Platte.

After the dust cleared, Mid-Plains’ men’s and women’s teams were both sitting third in terms of overall points earned in the first rodeo of the doubleheader. The men’s team was fifth after the second rodeo.

“It was a long weekend, and I was happy with the way the kids produced and then turned around and competed at this rodeo,” said Aukai Kaai, MPCC Rodeo Team roughstock coach. “It’s not an easy thing to do, and I thought they handled it well. I look forward to a full week of practice and to push on to Fort Dodge this weekend.”

The following are the average results from each rodeo.

Rodeo One

Breakaway Roping – Whitney Jennings, first

Calf Roping – Rex Day, first; Matt Miller, second; Jace Richter, fourth

Bull Riding – D.C. Cathcart, second; Eli Higa, fourth

Barrel Racing – Maggie Underhill, seventh

Team Roping – Koby Jacobson and Barrett Schlieker, seventh

Steer Wrestling – Koby Jacobson, eighth

Rodeo Two

Team Roping – Layton Lindner and Ty Growcock, first; DJ Martian and Kaleb Hurt, fourth; Jett Sjeklocha and Jadyn Fleischman (UNL), 10th

Steer Wrestling – Cinch Painter, second; Tucker Even, third; Rex Day, fifth

Calf Roping – Matt Miller, third

Miller won the calf roping buckle for overall average for both rodeos.

Jackson Lunn won the short round of the bareback riding in Rodeo Two for Mid-Plains. It wasn’t enough to place him in the average.

The team will compete in Ford Dodge, Iowa Friday and Saturday in the 2023 Triton Stampede hosted by Iowa Central Community College.