College rodeo: University of Great Falls event slated
Ever since the University of Great Falls began offering rodeo five years ago, the Argo women’s team has been extremely competitive.
And now the men are catching up.
Led by freshman bareback star Cache Hill and frosh tie-down roper George Marcenko, the UGF men’s team is making some noise in the Big Sky Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association.
Considering the UGF women’s contingent has always been in the thick of things under coaches Dick Lyman and Fanci Pulliam, it appears as if hometown fans will have plenty to cheer about this weekend as the UGF team hosts its third annual Big Sky Region Spring Rodeo.
The event is at Pacific Steel and Recycling Four Seasons Arena and features 7 p.m. performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
“I think the kids are ready,” said Lyman. “There’s always more distractions when we’re home, because the kids have to help produce the rodeo and that dang-sure makes it tougher to compete. But as a whole, I think the kids are blooming at the right time. This will be a real good opportunity for our kids to make a good showing in front of their hometown fans.”
The UGF Rodeo was a stirring success last year, both at the ticket office and inside the arena. Lyman is quick to thank his program’s sponsors and the many folks in Great Falls who supported the creation of a college rodeo team a few years ago.
“So many people here at the university and in this town have helped me with this program, and I can’t thank them enough,” Lyman said. “Our sponsors have been huge; I can’t say enough good things about them. Our kids have represented the program and the town the right way. I’m just really, really pleased with them.”
Hill is from Idaho and Marcenko grew up in Saskatchewan. They’ve found a home in Great Falls under Lyman’s tutelage. Both are currently in the top three of the Big Sky Region standings in their respective events. The top three finishers in each event following the spring season qualify for the College National Finals Rodeo.
Last weekend at the Dawson CC Rodeo in Glendive, Hill and Marcenko both placed second in the average. Barrel racer Abby Knight, a freshman from Charlo, also finished second in the average. Nikka Barta finished fourth in breakaway roping.
The UGF team was represented by six athletes in the event’s short go-round, which means they finished in the top 10 following two long go-rounds.
“I’m pretty excited about where our program’s at right now,” Lyman said. People around the Big Sky Region are standing up and taking notice of us a little bit. They know who we are and where we’re coming from.”
Lyman said his athletes have more to worry about than their events this weekend.
“The kids have to be stripping chutes, sorting cattle and raking the ground,” he said of production chores involved behind the scene. “Then our kids have to be lined up to run the slack (on Friday morning). Plus they’ve got to be competitive in their events. So they’ll be busy.”
Hard work, of course, never hurt anyone. Lyman is very gratified that his team is earning its keep. And that it’s reaping some of the rewards of that hard work, too.
“The success of our program is very rewarding for me,” he said. “If a guy can put together a good rodeo performance and people enjoy it, it makes you feel good. I’m very, very proud of our program and my kids. I hope the town comes out to support them this weekend.”
More than 200 athletes will compete. The Big Sky Region includes the following schools: Blackfeet Community College, Dawson Community College, Dull Knife Memorial College, Little Big Horn College, Miles Community College, Montana State University, MSU-Northern, Northwest College (Wyo.), University of Great Falls, University of Montana, and Montana Western.
Among the rodeo’s top sponsors are North 40 Outfitters, Torgerson’s and Benefis Health System.
Tickets for all three performances, including Saturday night’s championship go-round, are available at the Four Seasons Arena box office.