Idaho State University Women’s Rodeo Team finishes fall ranked #1 nationally; men’s team ranked, too

Idaho State University Women's Rodeo Team finished their fall season at the top, ranked number one in the nation. The men's team is ranked 16th in the nation and both have top-ranked members.

"You could say this is the best year we have ever had so far," said Cy Eames, from Gooding, one of ISU's nationally ranked team members.

The women's team is currently ranked first in the Rocky Mountain Region Standings and the men's team is ranked third.

The ISU rodeo team has several individual players who are ranked; Eames is ranked number two in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association and is number one in the Rocky Mountain Region standings for the men's all-around category. Kimberlyn Fehringer, from American Falls, is also number one in the Rocky Mountain Region standings for women's all-around category and ranked fifth nationally. Megan Gunter, McCammon, is leading the Rocky Mountain Region in team roping and is ranked seventh nationally.

Other fall highlights include top-10 regional rankings of Dallen Gunter, from McCammon, first in team roping; Tayson Smith, from Lava Hot Springs, fourth in bull riding; Lance Larsen, from Pocatello, ninth in steer wrestling; Shelby Freed, Pocatello, second in the region, 15^th nationally; and Kiara Wanner, from Preston, sixth in barrel racing and ninth in goat tying.

The team's members can rodeo in the amateur and pro circuits as well as compete collegiately as long as they meet certain requirements. They can be active in the collegiate off season and they can overlap the collegiate and other circuit seasons.           

"We are having a pretty outstanding year," said Melisa Moon Giannini, rodeo team advisor.

The team begins practice again in February and the rodeos begin in March. They hope to compete in Nationals in June.

All students at ISU are invited to join the rodeo team.

"I was looking through the pamphlet of clubs and wanted to try something new," said Chris Cox, who joined the team this year. "I have gone to a few rodeos but have never been involved in rodeo till now."

"We are very pleased with our season and couldn't have done it without the support of the University," Giannini said. "We appreciate the efforts of Doug Milder, director of campus recreation, who has helped us out immensely."

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