Rodeo's Winning Streak The 2021-22 rodeo season extended a successful run for the Missouri Valley College men’s rodeo team, as the program dominated the Ozark Region, and posted some of its best results in program-history at the College National Finals Rodeo. Combined with the women’s team, the Missouri Valley rodeo programs are among the elite in collegiate rodeo. The men’s rodeo team continued to sit atop the Ozark Region, taking first place in all ten rodeo competitions during the regular season. The program has now finished first in 20-straight rodeos, and has won the region six-straight years. Not only did this year’s team capture another region championship, but the cowboys finished on top of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association regular season standings for all teams in collegiate rodeo. Cole Franks finished first in the National men’s all-around regular season standings, with Ty Pope coming in third. At the CNFR in Casper, Wyo., the men’s team had its best run of results since 2010, finishing third overall in the standings. Pope earned the program’s first individual National championship since 2015, as he was top cowboy in bareback riding. The previous individual champion for the Viking cowboys was World Champion Tim O’Connell in bareback riding. Pope earned a score of 85.0 in the short go-round to edge out teammate Franks by one point in the average. Pope finished with a 318.5 average and Franks was reserve National champion with a 317.5 average. “This was a true nail bitter,” said Rodeo Head Coach Ken Mason. “The competition was exciting all week, and this all came down to the last ride. Ty has improved immensely. Hard work and perseverance paid off for him.
18 Viking Views | 2022
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