Rodeo Teams Finish Second Go-Rounds, Begin Third Go-Rounds at CNFR
Casper, Wyo., (June 16, 2026)- The Missouri Valley College rodeo teams finished second go-rounds in Tuesday morning's slack session, and opened third go-rounds in the evening session at the 2026 College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo. Eight Vikings competed in the morning session, which included a go-round champion, with another three competitors in the evening session.
Leading the team Tuesday morning was Freshman Jace Hensley (Paola, Kan.) in bull riding. Hensley finished out his ride with an 84.5 to win the second go-round. Hensley had a no-score in his first go-round ride, but currently sits third overall in the event standings, with the 84.5 ride. He has earned 80 points.
Hensley becomes the second Viking cowboy, and third member of the Missouri Valley program to win a go-round title so far at the CNFR. Senior Kooper Heimburg (San Tan Valley, Ariz.) was the first go-round champion on bareback riding, with an 86.75, and Sophomore Ruby Espey (Lone Jack, Mo.) tied for first in the first go-round of breakaway roping, with a 2.1.
Also for the men's team, Sophomore Collin Roland (Childersburg, Ala.) posted a 79.0 in his second go-round ride in bareback riding, and finished third overall in the go-round. Sophomore Judd Pope (Garnett, Kan.) finished with a 77.25 in his second ride in the morning, and placed seventh in the go-round. Sophomore Jason Wilson (Bennington, Vt.) was fifth in the go-round with a 77.75 and Heimburg was No. 16 in the go-round with a 75.0.
After two go-rounds in bareback riding, Heimburg currently sits in first place overall with a 161.75 in the average, having earned 80 points. Roland is third in the average with a 160.25, earning 85 points. Wilson is seventh with a 157, earning 35 points and Pope is No. 15 in the standings with a 152.75, earning 20 points.
In saddle bronc riding, Sophomore Treg Huver (Nashville, Mich.) finished at No. 27 in the second go-round standings with a 65.5, and Freshman Creek Caldwell (Bainbridge, Ind.) was No. 29 with a 56.5. The three Vikings in the event all have finished with one ride so far. Pope is No. 33 in the standings with a 66, Huver is No. 35 with a 65.5 and Caldwell is No. 37 with a 56.5.
Three members of the Viking women's rodeo team competed in the second go-round of goat tying in the morning session. Leading the team was Freshman Josie Waldenberger (Holmen, Wisc.) who placed at No. 16 with a 6.6. Freshman Victoria Whitehead (Jones, Okla.) placed at No. 42 with an 8.1 and Freshman Addyson Derr (Paola, Kan.) came in at No. 48 with a 9.0.
In the current goat tying standings after two go-rounds, Whitehead is No. 35 with a 14.8, Derr is No. 37 with a 15.2 and Waldenberger is No. 43 with a 16.2.
After two go-rounds of breakaway roping, Sophomore Ruby Espey (Lone Jack, Mo.) is No. 27 in the standings with one performance of a 2.1. Espey earned 65 points after tying for first place in the first go-round. Sophomore Codie Vaughan (Searcy, Ark.) has not posted a score in the first go go-rounds of the event.
Third go-rounds began during the evening session, with three Vikings competing in their events. Roland began the third go-round in bareback riding with a 74.25 on his ride to currently sit sixth in the go-round. He leads the average with a 234.5. Two Viking cowgirls competed in goat tying. Derr sits in first place in the go-round with a 6.0, and Waldenberger came in with a 6.9 to sit in sixth. Derr is currently sixth in the average with a 21.2 and Waldenberger is ninth in the average with a 23.1.
After the first two go-rounds the Viking men's rodeo team is fifth in the standings with 300 points and the women's team is seventh with 70 points.
The 2026 CNFR continues through June 20 at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper, Wyo. Third performances 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 17
Treg Huver-Saddle Bronc Riding: June 18
Judd Pope-Saddle Bronc Riding: June 17
Kooper Heimburg-Bareback Riding: June 19
Jason Wilson-Bareback Riding: June 18,
Judd Pope-Bareback Riding: June 17
Jace Hensley-Bull Riding: June 17
Codie Vaughan-Breakaway: June 19
Ruby Espey-Breakaway Roping: June 17
Victoria Whitehead-Goat Tying: June 18
Results-Click Here