HAMILTON — University of Montana rodeo is a program on the rise, and this weekend’s home event saw two Grizzlies show off the skills that have helped them qualify for the College National Finals Rodeo.
Saturday’s short round marked the final opportunity for Big Sky Region competitors to qualify for the CNFR. Montana coach Kory Mytty can’t remember the last time he gave buckles to Grizzlies at a home event.
“It's been more than a few years," he said. "I love being able to give the buckles to our kids when it is a home buckle. It is great to show off your hometown craft."
Senior Ty Christensen and freshman Lexi Murer were the Grizzlies that earned trips to the CNFR. Christensen previously qualified in the standings in the team roping event. Murer, who ranked third before the weekend, punched her ticket in barrel racing.
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"This means a lot," Christensen said about winning a buckle in front of a home crowd. "I love the school up here. I'm thankful for the opportunity they gave me. I know it's not easy on their half, and I'm just grateful I can come here and represent.”
Christensen earned a buckle in tie down roping Saturday while Murer’s 36.4 time in barrel racing solidified her trip.
Murer, a Bigfork native, packs a punch on the saddle. Standing about five feet tall, Mytty calls her dynamite.
“She was sitting third behind coming in, and there were six other women that could have beaten her … but I had full confidence going in,” the coach said.
"I'm super excited," the freshman said after the event. "I wasn't really sure if it was in the books for us this year, but it looks like it is."
"She has got a great horse, and she loves to win," Mytty said about his barrel racing champ. "She's very steadfast and true, and dedicated. She has goals."
After the win, Murer was bombarded with congratulatory greetings. She just wanted to take care of her horse. She has been barrel racing for about seven years and has competed at a high level before, at the Junior National Rodeo Finals, twice.
"They say it takes an army and it truly does," Murer explained. "I couldn't do this just by myself, honestly. It takes a lot of hard work, a lot of practice for me.”
"She's the most humble person you'll ever meet in the world, and super sweet, but at the same time, she's ferocious," the Montana coach said.
"I got a lot of help from my coaches and a lot of encouragement from my friends and family," Murer said.
Her first pony was a welcoming gift from her parents who adopted her from China when she was less than a year old. It seems she's more than adapted to the western lifestyle. Rodeo is in her blood.
"It just means so much," she said about rodeo. "I feel like just the culture all around is a family affair."
And her teammate Christensen agreed.
"It's a lifestyle for me," Christensen, a native of Ogden, Utah, said. "I've done it my whole life. I can't really do anything else. Rodeo is a huge part of my life.”
Mytty sentiments echoed his athletes growing up in rodeo.
"It's a Western way of life," Mytty said. "This is Montana. We're a rugged, tough state. We're vast land and cattle. It's a part of growing up, and it doesn't matter if you're from the big city or from a small town...everybody loves to watch rodeos and be a part of them.”
"It takes a lot of practice, dedication, tons of miles driving...good horsepower and support from everybody around you," Christensen added. "Luck, too. But you definitely can't do it by yourself."
The CNFR is held in Casper, Wyoming, from June 12-18. Mytty thinks the two competitors UM is sending have a great shot at returning national champions.
“I don’t think so, I know so,” the coach assured.
“I'll go home and practice a whole bunch,” Christensen said. “My family will help me out. And I have to get mentally ready. That is a huge part of it. It's 90 percent mental, 10 percent ability, really, once you get to this level.”
Christensen will be competing in team roping at nationals with his teammate and header, Jhet Murphy, a senior at Montana Western and Helena native.
“Ty did great in the tie-down roping, and he places a lot in that, but his specialty is team roping,” Mytty said. “He's a great healer. That is the event he is made for.”
Running away with the team titles was frontrunner Montana State. Perennial contenders, the program is sending 12 to the CNFR. In the Big Sky region, the Bobcats are leaders in both the men’s and women’s teams.
The all-around titles went to Bobcats, too, with Traver Johnson and Shantell Brewer earning the honors. Johnson finished first in steer wrestling and second in tie down roping. Brewer finished third in barrel racing and breakaway roping.
Historically, the Griz, however, tend to hover near last in the standings.
But that is starting to change, Mytty said, as the program is building.
In the past two seasons, Mytty said the university has made tremendous efforts to help build the program, including offering scholarship money to prospective athletes.
“They have made a commitment to make our program better, the university has,” Mytty said. "And we have grown it exponentially in one year, but of course these things take time. With scholarship money, we’re able to recruit more athletes and offer them funds to offset costs in schooling.”
Because rodeo is not cheap.
"This is expensive," Mytty said. "These parents and kids themselves buying horses, buying tack, feeding them, caring for them...Putting shoes on them every eight weeks."
The shoes alone for a horse average $120. That is separate from the cost of keeping a horse, with feed, veterinarian bills, the cost of hay, tack, etc. There are fees for entries, gas money, trucks to buy and trailers to haul.
Montana Griz rodeo puts on a Cowboy Ball, where the club raises the most its funding. The event is held at Lolo Peak Arena – Mytty's family-run rodeo arena.
Coaching for the past 13 years, Mytty said the support has been tremendous.
“To see the support from not only Ravalli County but Missoula County, and even the students and student-athletes from the University of Montana, that is exciting,” Mytty said.
Friday night rains couldn't deter the Griz faithful from gathering at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds. Saturday's weather was a treat, as the sun set in the Bitterroot Mountains and some of Big Sky's best put on a show for those in attendance.
"Coming to a place like this with the Bitterroot Mountains as a backdrop...we go places all over, and you can't get better than this," Mytty said.
Saturday championship results for top three finishers are as follows, by event, name and school.
Bareback: Trevor Kay, Montana Western, 146; Cole Gerhardt, Montana State, 130; Wesley Shaw, Montana State, 130
Tie Down Roping: Ty Christensen, Montana, 22.9; Traver Johnson, Montana State, 24.2; Ryley Mapston, Montana State, 26.4
Breakaway Roping: Cassidy Bolich, Montana State, 6.4; Tayla Moeykens, Montana State, 6.5; Shantell Brewer, Montana State, 7.0
Saddle Bronc: Garrett Cunningham, Montana State Northern, 148; Ryley Mapston, Montana State, 130; Monte Bailey, Montana State, 113;
Bull Riding: No qualified rides
Steer Wrestling: Traver Johnson, Montana State, 7.6; Cole Gerhardt, Montana State, 10.5; Jaden Whitman, Montana State, 10.6
Goat Tying: Mary Gibson, Miles City, 14.4; Mikenna Schauer, Montana State Northern, 15.1; Michaela Jo McCormick, Montana State, 15.1
Barrel Racing: Lexi Murer, Montana, 36.4; Jill Marcenko, Montana State Northern, 36.46; Shantell Brewer, Montana State, 36.52
Team Roping: Jayson Carl/Gunner Plenty, Northwest College, 13.3; Caden Rhoads/Grady Larson, Miles City, 18.5; Will Nannini/Wyatt Beckley, Montana State, 19.1
Sarah Bloom is a Sports Reporter covering the Bitterroot Valley for the Ravalli Republic and 406mtsports.com. Follow her for game coverage on Twitter @the_sarah_bloom, and contact her at 908-216-2074 or email at sarah.bloom@406mtsports.com