By Heidi Boyum
The nearly 200 contestants at the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association's Big Sky Region and the rough stock provided by Rodney Newman of Melstone, Mont., survived the unseasonable 80-plus degree weekend temperatures as Montana State University-Northern hosted a double rodeo at the Hill County Fairgrounds.
University of Montana-Western, MSU-Bozeman and Dawson Community College dominated the first two nights' action.
Western placed contestants in seven of the nine events, took home top team honors for the men with 322.5 points and third in women's with 75.
MSU-Bozeman placed in six of the nine events, took home both all-around awards and led the women's team scores with 350 points. The MSU-Bozeman men placed second with 280 points.
Dawson placed in six events, took home men's third place with 202.5 points and women's second with 75.
Men's all-around winner in both rodeos was MSU-Bozeman cowboy Andy Bolich. Tracey Currey, also of MSU, won the women's all-around.
Breakaway roper Amber Seilstad for MSU-N finished fourth in the first rodeo with a time of 8.8 seconds.
MSU cowgirl and Havre native Lauren Kanning placed in both breakaway and team roping.
Top four finishers in each event of the first rodeo, with times and scores on two head of livestock, were:
Bareback 1. Zach Cayton, MSU, 146; 2. Andy Bolich, MSU, 144; 3. Casey Bachand, DCC, 142; 4. Colby Olsen, NWC, 134.
Saddle Bronc 1. J.T. Robbins, Western, 136; 2. Ralph Page, DCC, 124; 3. Cain Eaton, DCC, 120; 4. Cody Taton, DCC, 119.
Steer Wrestling 1. Jim Heggie, Western, 10.8; Jess Langston, Western, 11.9; Mike Gill, DCC, 12.3; Chad Toavs, Western, 15.0;
Barrel Racing 1. Bobbie Taylor, MSU, 34.03; 2. Deanna Levine, MSU, 34.09; Pam Rolph, Western, 34.21; Shyla Epler, DCC, 34.52.
Breakaway Roping 1. Lauren Kanning, MSU, 7.3; 2. Milee Malone, MSU, 7.8; 3. Tracey Currey, MSU, 8.5 4. Amber Seilstad, MSU-N, 8.8.
Team Roping 1. Chance Bernall, Western and J.C. Guardipee, DCC, 16.9; 2. Tate Dempewolf, DCC and J.C. Guardipee, DCC, 20.5; 3. Tate Else, Western and J.T. Robbins, Western, 21.4; 4. Lauren Kanning, MSU and Tyler Kelly, DCC, 24.1.
Goat Tying 1. Tracey Curry, MSU, 16.9; 2. Janci Hannen, Western, 17.3; 3. Laura Gunderson, DCC, 17.4; 4. Milee Malone, MSU, 17.8.
