Rodeo Teams Learn Position Draws For Upcoming College National Finals Rodeo
Marshall, Mo., (June 8, 2026)- The Missouri Valley College rodeo teams learned their position draws and competition dates for the 2026 College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo., taking place June 14-20. A total of 12 Viking rodeo cowboys and cowgirls will compete at the CNFR, in five events.
The men's team enters the CNFR as the Ozark Region champions, capturing the region title for the tenth-straight season. Sophomore Judd Pope (Garnett, Kan.) will compete in both saddle bronc riding and bareback riding. Pope was the men's all-around champion and saddle bronc champion in the Ozark Region, while placing fifth in bareback riding.
Three other Viking cowboys will compete in bareback riding. Senior Kooper Heimburg (San Tan Valley, Ariz.) was the reserve National champion and an All-American in the event at the 2025 CNFR, and finished this season second in the Ozark Region standings. Sophomore Jason Wilson (Bennington, Vt.) was the Ozark Region champion in bareback riding, and Sophomore Collin Roland (Childersburg, Ala.) will compete in bareback riding after placing third in the region this season.
Joining Pope in saddle bronc riding are Freshman Creek Caldwell (Bainbridge, Ind.) and Sophomore Treg Huver (Nashville, Mich.). Huver finished second in the region, and Caldwell placed third in the final region standings.
Also competing for the men's team is Freshman Jace Hensley (Paola, Kan.) in bull riding. Hensley finished third in the Ozark Region standings in the event.
The women's team captured the program's first Ozark Region title since 2020 and have a total of five Viking cowgirls competing at the CNFR.
Competing in breakaway roping are Sophomore Codie Vaughan (Searcy, Ark.) and Sophomore Ruby Espey (Lone Jack, Mo.). Vaughan placed fifth and Espey was sixth in the final Ozark Region standings. The trio of Freshman Addyson Derr (Paola, Kan.), Freshman Victoria Whitehead (Jones, Okla.) and Freshman Josie Waldenberger (Holmen, Wisc.) will compete in goat tying. Derr was the Ozark Region champion in the event, and Whitehead finished second. Waldenberger placed fifth in the final standings.
The 2026 CNFR takes place June 14-20 at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper, Wyo. First performances begin June 14, and continue with second performances through the morning of June 16. Third performances begin the evening of June 16 and continue through June 19. The short go-round will finish the championship competition, June 20. The Missouri Valley College men's rodeo team was the reserve National champions at the 2025 CNFR.
Full Competition Schedule:
Creek Caldwell-Saddle Bronc Riding: June 14 (Afternoon), June 16 (Morning), June 17
Treg Huver-Saddle Bronc Riding: June 14 (Evening), June 16 (Morning), June 18
Judd Pope-Saddle Bronc Riding: June 14 (Evening), June 15, June 17
Kooper Heimburg-Bareback Riding: June 14 (Afternoon), June 15, June 19
Collin Roland-Bareback Riding: June 14 (Afternoon), June 16 (Morning), June 16 (Evening)
Jason Wilson-Bareback Riding: June 14 (Evening), June 15, June 18,
Judd Pope-Bareback Riding: June 14 (Evening), June 16 (Morning), June 17
Jace Hensley-Bull Riding: June (Evening), June 16 (Morning), June 17
Codie Vaughan-Breakaway Roping: June 14 (Evening), June 15, June 19
Ruby Espey-Breakaway Roping: June 14 (Evening), June 15, June 17
Addyson Derr-Goat Tying: June 15, June 16 (Morning), June 16 (Evening)
Victoria Whitehead-Goat Tying: June 15, June 16 (Morning), June 16 (Evening)
Josie Waldenberger-Goat Tying: June 15, June 16 (Morning), June 18
CNFR Information-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.