MSU-N rodeo teams ready to ride into the fall season

Fall might mean it's time for football and volleyball at Montana State University-Northern. But it also means it's time for another popular Montana sport and that's rodeo.

The Lights and Skylights are both expected to field strong rodeo squads again this season and they will once again be directed by head coach Doug Kallenberger.

"We have had about a week of practice," Kallenberger said. "But the kids look good and we are super excited about a couple of our seniors Calonna Slade and George Marcenko. They are both from Saskatchewan. George is going to make the NRA Finals this year and made the Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit finals a year ago. He redshirted last year and we get him as like a fifth-year senior. He has been lighting it up in the calf roping. Calonna, in the barrel racing, is up in Canada, and she has won a bunch of rodeos, so we are super excited for them and what the season will bring."

George Marcenko is just one name to watch for the Northern men's team, some of the others include Zane Marcenko, T'Jay Allen, Toren Andreasen, John Bell, Shane Bird Rattler, Clay Doney, Tyler Doney, Yancy Hawley, Tucker Hould and Leo Johnson. MSU-N also has a new bareback rider in freshman Liam Marshall and a new bull rider in Tucker Johnson.

"I am also excited about Zane Marcenko and Clay Doney," Kallenberger said. "They both had a really good summer and have been looking really good in practice."

Kallenberger is excited about the Lights but also has big hopes for the Skylights, too. That's because the MSU-N women's rodeo team brings back some experienced cowgirls and in addition to Slade, some others who should make a big impact are Jayne Keeley and Kassidy Williamson. Some of the other competitors for MSU-N include Carly Thune, Rybecca Panchuk, Brenna Kureger and Mikayla Connelly.

"With all the talent that we have, I see no reason why the girls can't finish in the top two (Regionals)," Kallenberger said. "The women's team should be able to make the College Finals. That's a good goal for them. On the men's side, I think we should get a top-four finish as a team, and we should get three or four guys to the College Finals. Getting seven kids to the College Finals is a big goal, but I don't see why that can't happen."

Both teams will open their schedules this month with four events. Northern will take part in the Northwest Open in Cody, Wyoming, this weekend, followed by a trip to Glendive Sept. 14-15. The Northern rodeo teams will be in Havre Sept. 21-22 for the MSU-Northern rodeo, before closing out the fall schedule at the Montana-Western Rodeo. The regionals and College Finals Rodeo will take place in the spring.