MPCC men’s rodeo team dominate Falcon Frontier Days Rodeo

River Falls, Wis. – The Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team opened the 2024-25 season at the Falcon Frontier Days Rodeo in River Falls, Wis. last weekend.

“What a great way to start the new season,” said roughstock coach Aukai Kaai. “I am extremely proud of how we competed and look for our teams to build on it this week.”

The men’s team finished atop the leaderboard in the team standings, while the women’s team finished in fifth place.

Koy McAlister, of Ronan, Mont., earned the all-around title after notching a first-place finish in steer wrestling and a fourth-place finish in saddle bronc. Eli Higa was named reserve champion with a fifth-place finish in steer wrestling and by winning the average alongside Kahiwa Augustiro in the team roping event.

Jackson Lunn, of Whitecourt, Alberta, took home the gold buckle by securing the top spot in both rounds, before taking the average in the bareback event. Teammate Clay Meyer, of Loomis, won the short round to finish second in the average in the steer wrestling category.

Ridge Ward, of Pine Ridge, S.D., stepped into the saddle to finish second in the saddle bronc event, while Trace Scarlavai won the opening round and took home the average in bull riding.

Laysha Cottrell and Laynee Ohm led the way for the women’s team finishing in fifth place in the breakaway and goat tying categories. Maggie Underhill notched a sixth-place finish in the barrel racing event to round out the women’s team in the top six.

The MPCC Rodeo Team returns home for the three-day Stampede at the Wild West Arena in North Platte beginning on Thursday. Evening performances are slated to begin at 7 p.m. each night.