CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- Chadron State College contestants advanced to the finals of the rodeo hosted by Laramie County Community College at Cheyenne last weekend seven times.  None of them won a gold belt buckle, but more than half of them placed among the top six in final standings to earn points for both themselves and the team.
             
Former Chadron State basketball player Elle Ravenscroft of Nenzel and Cody did well in the barrel race again after finishing sixth among 91 entries in that event at the CSC rodeo that opened the season in the Central Rocky Mountain Region.

This time Elle and her buckskin gelding, Buckwheat, completed their first run in 16.11 seconds, good for third in the long go-round. They ran the cloverleaf pattern in 16.33 seconds in the finals to claim fourth overall. Their quick work was worth more than $400.

Cinch Kiger of Overton, Neb., was fourth in bareback riding with 71- and 68-point scores.  Since there are only 13 bareback riders in the region, he didn't win any cash, but he did earn points that will count toward qualifying for the College National Finals next June.

Senior Tanner Whetham of Morrill was a finalist in two events. He and his team roping partner, John Jensen of the University of Wyoming, won the first go-round in 5.1 seconds. Unfortunately, they did not make both loops fit in the championship go-round, and had to settle for seventh in the final standings. However, each of them picked up a $380.80 check for their quick work during their first run. 

Whetham also was seventh in tie down roping with times of 10.0 and 11.9 seconds. Freshman Sid Miller of Merna, Neb., also was among the tie down finalists after catching and tying his first calf in 9.8 seconds.  But he took a no time in the finals.

Veteran steer wrestler Parker Johnston of Maywood, Neb., placed sixth overall in steer wrestling with times of 5.1 and 6.0 seconds and Hanna Huffman of Burwell tied for third in the opening go-round of goat tying, but her 9.8 clocking in the finals prevented her from earning a paycheck.

The final rodeo in the region this fall will be this weekend at Lamar Community College in southern Colorado.