Vikings win regional championship

Junior Jake Shaw (left) and senior Kallie Agre of Missouri Valley show off the saddles they were awarded for being the season's top all-around performers in the NIRA Ozark Region. (Photo contributed) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

MARTIN, Tenn. -- The Missouri Valley College men's rodeo team didn't win the final battle, but won the war.

The Vikings came in second, for only the second time in 10 events, Saturday at the Tennessee-Martin Rodeo -- trailing Southern Arkansas, 625 to 620 points. However, Valley easily defended its NIRA Ozark Region championship, winning eight of 10 meets.

Most of the Vikings' points came in two contests. Junior Adam Gilchrist of Maple Creek, Sask., was first in saddle bronc riding, with sophomore Will Smith third. Juniors James Earl Carter, David Clapp and Kyle Brennecke were third through fifth in bareback riding.

Although not factoring into the team score, freshman Will Crain came in second in bull riding and junior Chris Coulter was third in steer wrestling. Also in bull riding, Missouri State freshman Andrew Bridges of Marshall tied for third place.

All 85 of the Valley women's points resulted from senior Kallie Agre's fifth place in goat tying. The Lady Vikings were sixth at the meet, won by Murray State (Ky.), but finished second in the region behind Southern Arkansas.

Both teams qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo, June 14-20 at Casper, Wyo. Even had the Valley men not won the region, it had six cowboys eligible by finishing in the top three spots in their events for the season.

Smith and Gilchrist were 1-2 in saddle bronc, with Carter and Brennecke second and third in bareback. Crain was the region's top bull rider and junior Jake Shaw was first in steer wrestling.

Agre wound up third in the region in breakaway roping, while junior Katie Kimble was second in goat tying. Shaw and Agre also led the field in all-around points.

The Vikings will scatter following the end of the semester to compete individually at various rodeos before regrouping for the CNFR.