Rodeo Teams Dominate Final Ozark Region Standings
Marshall, Mo., (April 28, 2026)- The Missouri Valley College rodeo teams recently finished a successful 2025-26 season in the Ozark Region, sweeping the team championships and producing several individual champions in the final region standings.
The men's rodeo team captured its tenth-straight Ozark Region title, finishing the regular season with 7,795 total points. Second place was West Alabama with 4,595 points. The Viking cowboys claimed region titles in three event categories, and in the all-around.
The men's all-round Ozark Region champion was Sophomore Judd Pope (Garnett, Kan.) who earned 2,135 points on the season. In addition to the all-round title, Pope was the Ozark Region champion in saddle bronc riding, finishing with 1,335 points. He was also fifth in the bareback riding standings, earning 800 point in the event this season.
Another Ozark Region champion was Sophomore Jason Wilson (Bennington, Vt.) in bareback riding, earning 1,430 points this season. A total of eight Vikings finished in the top 10 of bareback riding in the region. Senior Kooper Heimburg (San Tan Valley, Ariz.) was the reserve champion with 1,220 points, followed by Junior Collin Roland (Childersburg, Ala.) in third with 1,040 points. Pope came in sixth, while Senior Hayden Leavell (Ozark, Ark.) was sixth with 420 points, Freshman Owen Price (Humboldt, Ky.) finished seventh with 290 points, Freshman Kade Parrish (LaVelle, Wisc.) was eighth with 205 points and Senior Brodie Sims (Thomasville, Ala.) placed ninth with 30 points.
The third Ozark Region champion was Freshman Jace Hensley (Paola, Kan.) in bull riding with 900 points on the season. Senior Kashton Mathis (Monona, Iowa) was seventh in the bull riding standings with 120 points and Freshman Brett Hopp (Toulon, Ill.) was No. 14 with 55 points.
In addition to Pope's champions in saddle bronc riding, Missouri Valley cowboys claimed the top six spots in the event. The reserve champion was Sophomore Treg Huver (Nasvhille, Mich.) with 1,275 points, followed by Freshman Creek Caldwell (Bainbridge, Ind.) in third with 1,070 points. Junior Walker McAbee (Woodruff, S.C.) was fourth with 610 points, Freshman Riley McGuire (Harrisville, Pa.) was fifth with 150 points and Sophomore Ethan Archer (Onalaska, Wisc.) placed sixth with 120 points. Plus, Junior Carson Ball (Bruner, Mo.) placed tenth with 260 points and Leavell came in at No. 15 with 140 points in steer wrestling.
The women's team captured its first Ozark Region title since the 2019-20 season after finishing with 2,417.5 points in competitions. Second place was Murray (Ky.) State with 1,745 points.
The women's team was led by Freshman Addy Derr (Paola, Kan.) as the Ozark Region goat tying champion with 780 points. A total of nine Viking cowgirls placed in the final goat tying standings. Freshman Victoria Whitehead (Jones, Okla.) was the reserve champion with 720 points, Sophomore Kate Brisbane (Kearney, Mo.) finished fourth with 497.5 points, Freshman Josie Waldenberger (Holmen, Wisc.) was fifth with 455 points, Junior Dally Orman (Blakesburg, Iowa) came in sixth with 355 points, Freshman Hailey Donald (Oden, Ark.) finished eighth with 320 points, Junior Alexis Neff (Marshall, Mo.) was ninth with 250 points, Freshman Jolene Rhyne (Craig, Colo.) was No. 12 with 195 points and Junior Zoe Tunks (King City, Mo.) placed at No. 14 with 135 points.
In breakaway roping, the top Viking was Sophomore Codie Vaughan (Searcy, Ark.) with 240 points to place fifth, followed by Sophomore Ruby Espey (Lone Jack, Mo.) in sixth with 238.3 points. Tunks totaled 235 points to place seventh, Junior Addie William (Harrisburg, Ark.) was No. 14 with 160 points and Freshman Dakota Murphy (Freeburg, Ill.) came in at No. 15 with 145 points. Also, Junior Kalyani Das (Las Cruces, N.M.) was No. 11 with 245 points and Murphy placed at No. 15 with 170 points in barrel racing.
In team roping, the Freshman Annabelle Kindred (Downs, Ill.) placed at No. 15 with 150 points as a header, and Freshman Jaxson Devoe (Siloam Springs, Ark.) placed at No. 14 with 150 points as a heeler.
Head Coach Ken Mason was named the Ozark Region Coach of the Year, an award he has earned four times since 2021, after leading the men's and women's teams to a sweep of the region titles for the first time since 2020.
As Ozark Region champions, both Viking teams will compete at the 2026 College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo., June 14-20. Position draw for competitors will take place June 7. The Viking men's rodeo team was the reserve National champions at the 2025 CNFR.
Ozark Region Standings-Click Here
About Missouri Valley College
Standing out as one of the most innovative and student-focused liberal arts colleges in the Midwest, Missouri Valley College (MVC) is committed to preparing students for success beyond the classroom. Through the Viking Voyage program, MVC prioritizes career readiness from day one, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel after graduation. Each of MVC's 30+ in-demand majors—including nursing, business, cybersecurity, computer science, criminal justice, and exercise science—integrates personal instruction, experiential learning, and professional opportunities to prepare graduates to thrive in a rapidly changing and globally connected world. At Missouri Valley College, higher education is more than earning a degree—it's a transformative journey that begins with the end.