MSU-N rodeo teams finish the fall season

While the fall sports season is just getting heated up for sports like football and volleyball, the fall season for rodeo just finished as the Montana State University-Northern teams took part in the Montana-Western Rodeo in Dillon this past weekend.

And the Rodeo, which was a two-day affair, went pretty well for both the Lights and Skylights, who finished second and fourth in the team competitions, respectively.

A big reason why the Lights finished so well, was the performance of Tate Benson, who finished second in the all-around competition. Benson notched a second-place finish in the short round and was third in tie-down roping. Tate and his partner Tucker Hould also posted a second-place showing in team roping.

Zane Marcenko continued his strong season for the Lights, as he finished third in short round and fourth in steer wrestling. The other cowboys who placed for Northern were George Marcenko and John Bell. The tandem came in second in long go in team roping.

The Skylights also had some strong individual performances led by Lacy Blea, who was fifth in short round and fifth overall in goat tying. Calonna Slade finished first in long go and fifth in barrel racing also for MSU-N.

With the finish of the UM-Western rodeo, the fall season is complete for the Northern Rodeo teams and right now, both teams are looking competitive in the Big Sky Region of the NIRA.

The Lights currently sit in fourth place, while the Skylights are in fifth. The program has a total of 14 participants in the top 15 of the overall standings in their respective events. The men’s team is led by George Marcenko, who is second in tie-down roping. Benson is also 10th in the same event and Zane Marcenko is currently 14th. In steer wrestling, Taylor Corbett is in 12th.

As far as team roping is concerned, Hould and Zane Marcenko are ninth, while Bell and George Marcenko are 13th.

When it comes to the Skylights, Tara Stimpson is among the top 15 in three different events. She sits in ninth place in barrel racing and 15th in breakaway roping. Slade is 10th in breakaway roping and in goat tying Blea is 12th.

Head coach Doug Kallenberger, who has coached at MSU-N for a number of years, along with his wife, Emily Kallenberger, said he is excited about what the teams have accomplished so far this year.

“We are off to a great start,” Doug Kallenberger said. “I am so proud of these kids. This is the best start that we have ever had since Emily and I have been the coaches.”

The Lights and Skylights will resume their seasons this spring.