Cole Hatcher, a 2012 Lowry graduate, currently sits in third place in the saddle bronc at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo.
Harper, a student at College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, made it to the finals by winning the Rocky Mountain Region during the season.
As of Wednesday, he has ridden all three broncs, with scores of 70.5, 74, and 69.5 with an average of 214. CoBurn Bradshaw, of Western Texas College is first with 230.50 points and Zeke Thurston of Sheridan College is second at 229.50.
There are still two performance left in the saddle bronc before the final round on Saturday night. Hatcher has a good chance of reaching the finals on Saturday.
Fellow Humboldt County member Sam Harper has finished his three performances in saddle bronc as well. Harper, from Paradise Valley and rides for Feather River College in Quincy, Calif., is ninth with 150.50 points. He didn't record a score in the first performance, but came back with scores of 73 and 7.50.
His brother Joe Harper, a student at Panhandle State University in Oklahoma. He currently sits in 22nd with scores of 73.50 and 73. He made his final run on Thursday, but results were not available at press time.
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.
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.[[In-content Ad]]
