By Daijah White / Sports Editor

Missouri Valley College rodeo teams took first place overall in the Viking Stampede Rodeo. The men scored 630 points and the women scored 267 points. Valley riders claimed the top four places in three different events.

The Viking Stampede is Valley rodeo’s only home event of the year. The community rallied around the Vikings at the Saline County Fairgrounds, and the support gave the team extra motivation.

“It means the world to me,” said Courtney Lorenson. “I absolutely love this team, and if you know anything about this team, the community loves us and we love the community.”

The support extended beyond current athletes. Valley also hosted an alumni event, giving past team members the chance to reconnect and watch the new athletes thrive.

“As an alumnus, I always appreciate seeing the next generation of student-athletes,” said Waylon Hiler. “It gives me pride to see the new students do well and succeed. Some of them even go on to compete at the National Finals Rodeo, and that gives me pride knowing the program produces great rodeo athletes.”

After a rain delay Thursday, bareback riding was the first event of the Viking Stampede. Senior Kooper Heimburg won first place with an average of 158 after scoring 77 and 81 in his two rounds. Sophomore Jason Wilson finished second with an average of 146, followed by Colin Roland in third with 145. Two Valley freshmen rounded out the top five.

Valley swept the saddle bronc riding event, with four men claiming the top four spots after being the only athletes to post scores. Judd Pope won first place with a 76 in the first round and a 69 in the second. Huver Treg finished close behind with scores of 66 and 77. Creek Caldwell and Walker McAbee placed third and fourth.

On the women’s side, Codie Vaughn boosted Valley’s score with her performance in breakaway roping. Vaughn posted 3.5 seconds in both of her runs. She was the only Valley athlete to compete in the event.

Goat tying was the strongest event for Valley’s women. Freshman Addy Derr led the way with the fastest times of the competition, finishing in 7.2 seconds in her first run and 6.5 seconds in her second. Kate Brisbane placed second, followed by freshman Jolene Rhyne in fourth and senior Grace Waldenberger in fifth.

Overall, the Vikings secured the team win at the Viking Stampede Rodeo to open their season. Valley’s rodeo teams will next travel to the University of West Alabama on Sept. 25 for a three-day competition.