CURTIS, Neb. — A student athlete with the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture Rodeo Team is headed to college nationals in saddle bronc riding.
Nathan Burnett of Shelton, Neb., last month sealed the Great Plains Region title, a trophy saddle and belt buckle as a member of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association.
Burnett competed in Aggie Rodeo as a freshman and sophomore and plans a third year of eligibility at NCTA, adding agribusiness to a livestock management degree.
He travels to Casper, Wyoming for the College National Finals Rodeo June 13-19. It draws 400 athletes from more than 100 universities and colleges in 11 NIRA regions.
“I was proud to represent NCTA at the 10 rodeos this season as well as going to the CNFR,” Burnett said.
Student athletes accumulated points at fall and spring rodeos during two academic years. Burnett is ranked 24th in NIRA point standings. At CNFR, 42 saddle bronc riders are entered.
He competes on June 13, 14 and 17, vying to make the Saturday night finals on June 19.
To get to CNFR, Burnett competed strong and handily led 14 colleges in the Great Plains region, finishing with 645 points. Paden Sexton, University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law, placed second at 460 points, and Tayte Goodman, Black Hills State University, was third with 380 points. All three qualified for the CNFR.
Top three athletes from each event of the 11 regions, plus the top two men’s and women’s teams in each region will compete at Casper.
“All of us at NCTA congratulate Nathan and wish him well in his national contest,” said Larry Gossen, NCTA dean.
“We’ll be cheering on our NCTA Aggie on as well as the rodeo teams from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and our close neighbors at McCook and North Platte at Mid-Plains Community College,” Gossen added.
NCTA Aggie Rodeo will be represented at high school rodeos with Nebraska Finals in Hastings June 17-19, and National Finals in Lincoln July 18-24.
Part of the University of Nebraska system, the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture is a two-year institution with a statewide mission of preparing students for successful careers in agriculture, veterinary technology and related industries. NCTA is known for its affordable tuition, high job-placement rate for its graduates, and for the success of student teams in competitive activities including crops judging, ranch horse events, livestock judging, shotgun sports, stock dog trials, and intercollegiate rodeo. The college is consistently ranked as one of the best two-year schools in the nation.
— NCTA News
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