Harper notches sixth-place finish in saddle bronc at College National Finals Rodeo

Hatcher places 11th in saddle bronc

Lowry High School graduate and former Humboldt County Rodeo Club member Joe Harper wrapped up his stay at the College National Finals Rodeo on Saturday with a sixth-place finish in the saddle bronc.

Harper, who attends Panhandle State University in Oklahoma, scored 75 points in the short go-around and finished with 286.50 points. He rode all four of his broncs during the week-long event in Rock Springs, Wyo. Harper scored 73.5 points in his first performance, 73 in the second and 65 points in the third go-around.

CoBurn Bradshaw won the national championship with a ride of 78 in the short go and scored 311 points over the week. Zeke Thurston was second at 310.50 and Tagyen Schuelke was third at 296.

Lowry graduate Cole Hatcher placed 11th in the saddle bronc after receiving no score in the short go-around. Hatcher, who rides for College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, was fourth going into the final round. Hatcher had scored of 74, 70.50 and 69.50 in his first three performances.

Sam Harper, another former member of the Humboldt County Rodeo Club, was 15th in the saddle bronc. After recording no score in the first performance, Harper had rides of 73 and 77.50 in the second and third performances. He came just short of reaching the short go-around.

Orovada's Victor Ugalde and teammate Steven Gaona failed to record a time in each of their three performances. Ugalde is a student at New Mexico State University.

Schuelke was crowned the men's all-around champion with 415 points. Billy Bob Brown was second at 320 and Clark Adcock placed third with 270 points. Clayton Hansen and Brody Adams, were fourth and fifth, respectively.

Macy Fuller of Central Arizona was the women's all-around champion with 555 points. Jacalyn Walker (300) was second and Shay Spitz (235) was third. Georgia Diez and Kelsey Kennemer, were fourth and fifth, respectively.

University of Tennessee-Martin won the men's team title with 755 points, while Tarleton State was second at 730. Panhandle State was third at 710.

Central Arizona claimed the women's championship with 635 points. Chadron State (472.50) and Eastern New Mexico (420) were second and third, respectively.

The CNFR is the "Rose Bowl" of college rodeo.

It is where the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association crowns individual event champions in saddle bronc riding, bare back riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, breakaway roping, and goat tying.

National team championships are also awarded to both men's and women's teams.

Over 400 cowboys and cowgirls from over 100 universities and colleges compete in Casper each year. Contestants compete all year in one of the NIRA's 11 regions for a chance to rope or ride at the CNFR.

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