Four CSC cowboys place at first rodeo

Jake Kasselder, a senior from Ericson, led the Chadron State entries by placing third in the steer wrestling. He won the first go-round in 8.4 seconds and was third in the finals in 10.2 seconds.

Although he was third in the point totals, Kasselder earned the most money among the 39 steer wrestlers. His payoff totaled $382.20.

Another CSC entry, Taz Olson of Prairie City, S.D., was fifth in steer wrestling in 9.6 and 16.0 seconds.

Another South Dakota cowboy, Prestyn Novak of Newell, finished fifth in tie down roping with times of 11.5 and 12.5 seconds. 

This was the first college rodeo for both Olson and Novak.

Another newcomer on the CSC team, Wyatt Clark of Wellfleet, was the fourth team member to place among the top six at Riverton. He was sixth in bareback riding with scores of 71 and 72 points.

Clark is definitely not new to college rodeo. He graduated from the University of Wyoming last spring and is now a graduate assistant at Chadron State. He was the runner-up in the 2013-14 bareback standings in the Central Rocky Mountain Region.

Three more Chadron State contestants placed in the top 10 during the first go-round at the Central Wyoming rodeo, but did not fare well enough in the finals to place among the top six in the overall standings. They are Derek Powers of Arthur in tie down roping, Abbie Frey of Crawfordsville, Ind., in goat tying and Kadi McFadden of Elsmere, Neb., in breakaway roping.

Chadron State’s rodeo will be this weekend at the Dawes County Fairgrounds in Chadron. Performances will be at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday. Slack will take place at 1 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday.