Rodeo Teams Continue Early Competition at CNFR
Casper, Wyo., (June 15, 2026)- The Missouri Valley College rodeo teams continued competition at the 2026 College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo., with first and second go-rounds performances through the morning and afternoon.
Three members of the Viking women's rodeo team competed for the first time at the championship, all in goat tying. Leading the team was Freshman Addyson Derr (Paola, Kan.) who finished eighth in the go-round with a 6.2. Freshman Victoria Whitehead (Jones, Okla.) followed with a 6.7 to place at No. 24 and Freshman Josie Waldenberger (Holmen, Wisc.) placed at No. 50 with a 9.6. All three will compete in the second go-round Tuesday morning.
Also for the women's team, Sophomore Ruby Espey (Lone Jack, Mo.) and Sophomore Codie Vaughan (Searcy, Ark.) competed in the second go-round of breakaway roping. However, both finished with no-score rides. Espey opened the event with a first place finish in the first go-round with a 2.1, while Vaughan had a no-score in the first go-round.
On the men's side, two Vikings competed in the second go-rounds of bareback riding. Sophomore Jason Wilson (Bennington, Vt.) is currently second place in the go-round with a 77.75. He posted a 79.25 in the first go-round. Senior Kooper Heimburg (San Tan Valley, Ariz.) is currently eighth in the second go-round standings with a 75.0. Heimburg won the first go-round with an 86.75. Second go-rounds continue Tuesday morning with rides from Junior Collin Roland (Childersburg, Ala.) and Sophomore Judd Pope (Garnett, Kan.).
In saddle bronc riding, Pope posted a no-score in his second go-round ride. Pope finished with a 66.0 in the first go-round of the event. Freshman Creek Caldwell (Bainbridge, Ind.) and Sophomore Treg Huver (Nashville, Mich.) will ride in the second go-round Tuesday morning.
Freshman Jace Hensley (Paola, Kan.) will compete in the second go-round of bull riding Tuesday morning. He opened with a no-score in his first go-round.
The 2026 CNFR continues through June 20 at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper, Wyo. Second go-rounds will continue Tuesday morning. Third performances begin Tuesday evening and continue through Friday. The short go-round will finish the championship competition, Saturday. 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 16 (Morning), June 17
Treg Huver-Saddle Bronc Riding: June 16 (Morning), June 18
Judd Pope-Saddle Bronc Riding: June 17
Kooper Heimburg-Bareback Riding: June 19
Collin Roland-Bareback Riding: June 16 (Morning), June 16 (Evening)
Jason Wilson-Bareback Riding: June 18,
Judd Pope-Bareback Riding: June 16 (Morning), June 17
Jace Hensley-Bull Riding: June 16 (Morning), June 17
Codie Vaughan-Breakaway: June 19
Ruby Espey-Breakaway Roping: June 17
Addyson Derr-Goat Tying: June 16 (Morning), June 16 (Evening)
Victoria Whitehead-Goat Tying: June 16 (Morning), June 16 (Evening)
Josie Waldenberger-Goat Tying: June 16 (Morning), June 18
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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.