Fresh off a challenging weekend in Gillette, the Central Wyoming College Rustler rodeo team traveled to Torrington for the Eastern Wyoming College Lancer Rodeo, held March 27th–29th. The Rustlers proved their resilience, making the "adjustments during practice" promised by the coaching staff to secure several top-ten finishes in a highly competitive Central Rocky Mountain Region field.

Dewey Leads the Charge in Bareback Riding

The Bareback Riding duo of Chaz Dewey and Eian Smith once again anchored the Rustlers' performance. Following his long-round win the previous week, Dewey leveled up his overall finish in Torrington, claiming a dominant 2nd place overall. His performance continues to solidify him as one of the premier bareback riders in the region.

Teammate Eian Smith showed remarkable consistency, improving on his previous outing to break into the top tier with a solid 6th place finish, ensuring the Rustlers took home significant points in the roughstock events.

Success in the Timed Events

The CWC women's team made their mark in the goat tying arena through the efforts of Kenedie Balster. Balster delivered a lightning-fast performance to secure 7th place, providing a crucial spark for the women's side as they head into the heart of the spring season.

In the Tie Down Roping, Cael Espenscheid showcased his versatility. After placing in Team Roping just a week ago, Espenscheid shifted gears to the Tie Down event in Torrington, battling through a tough field of ropers to earn a 10th place finish.

Building Momentum

"We are always grateful for the opportunity to compete, but it is more gratifying to win at this level" said head coach Andrew Schrock, "Watching all the work that Eian, Chaz, and Kenedie have put into their off season is special. Confidence comes when you're putting in the work and nobody is watching."

The weekend in Torrington served as a "rebound" performance for the squad. By converting the "missed opportunities" from earlier in the month into leaderboard placements, the Rustlers have set a positive tone for the remainder of the spring circuit. The team will return to competition this week in Fort Collins, CO as the compete in the rodeo hosted by Colorado State Univeristy, April 3-5.