Lancer Rodeo Team Starts Season Strong at Chadron State College Rodeo

By Chloee Faus – EWC Student

TORRINGTON, Wyo. – The Eastern Wyoming College Lancer Rodeo Team opened its season with a strong showing at the first college rodeo of the season in Chadron, Nebraska.

Rodeo athletes from 10 colleges across Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska competed throughout the weekend, seeking points toward the regional standings and qualification for the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper next summer.

Lancers Claim Two Long-Round Wins

EWC athletes made an immediate impact during Friday’s long round, earning two event wins.

Cameron Capshaw and Hogan Kelly won the team roping competition with a 5.4-second run. In saddle bronc riding, Cade Else topped the leaderboard with an 82-point ride.

Other EWC athletes also posted strong long-round performances. Hunter Mancina scored 74 points to place fifth in saddle bronc riding, while Kutter Accord scored 71 points to finish eighth.

In goat tying, Tava Sexton posted a 7.8-second run to place ninth. Pate Tavegie and his header, Cade Thar, recorded a 15.4-second run in team roping to finish 10th and qualify for the short go.

Several other Lancer athletes narrowly missed qualifying for Sunday’s short go. Kegan Allen placed 11th in tie-down roping with a 13.4-second run and 14th in team roping with Walker West with a 17.2-second run. Celie Tharp finished 17th in barrel racing with a time of 18.10 seconds. Cruz Birkeland placed just two spots outside the short go in saddle bronc riding with a 64-point ride.

Strong Finish in Sunday’s Short Go

Six EWC athletes competed in Sunday’s short go.

In saddle bronc riding, Else scored 72 points to finish fourth in the average with 154 points on two head. Mancina scored 76 points in the short go to tie for third in the round and finished fifth in the average with 150 points on two head. Accord scored 70 points in the short go and finished with 141 points on two head.

Sexton posted a 13.6-second run in the short go in goat tying.

In team roping, Capshaw and Kelly posted a 7.8-second run to finish second in the round. The pair also tied for the average win with a combined time of 13.2 seconds on two head.

Tavegie and Thar finished fourth in both the short go and the average.

Lancers Start Season in Strong Position

With the 2027 CNFR in mind, the Lancers are off to a strong start after the opening weekend.

Capshaw currently sits first in team roping, while Else is fourth in saddle bronc riding. The EWC men’s team earned 230 points during the weekend, placing sixth overall in the team standings.

A young man in a black cowboy hat and vest with a white shirt stands outside on grass, with buildings blurred in the background.

A young person in a white cowboy hat and vest stands outside, smiling. The vest features a horse logo and a Wyoming patch. There are buildings and grass in the blurred background.