Idaho State University Rodeo Women’s Team Ranked No. 1 heading into CNFR June 14-20

The Idaho State University Women’s Rodeo Team is ranked No. 1 heading into the College National Finals Rodeo June 14-20 in Casper, Wyoming.

Four of the five ISU Women’s Rodeo Team members competing at the College National Finals Rodeo this year finished first in four events during the 2014-15 Rocky Mountain Region’s 10-rodeo season.

Many of the team’s members were on the ISU Women’s Rodeo Team that won a national title in 2013.

ISU’s first-place finishers in the Rocky Mountain Region were:

• Kimberlyn Fitch, American Falls, first, women’s all-around and breakaway roping. She was also the 2013 national champion in breakaway roping;

• Megan E. Gunter, McCammon, first, team roping header;

• Shelby Freed, Pocatello, first, barrel racing; and

• Jacalyn Walker-Austin, Plain City, Utah, first, goat tying.

“Two years ago, the women’s team won the College National Finals Rodeo,” said Melisa Moon Giannini, ISU Rodeo Club advisor. “We’re excited and we think we have a good chance of winning it all again.”

The top three finishers in the region in each event qualify for the national rodeo. Other top-three finishes in region by ISU women’s team included, Freed, second in the women’s all-around; Walker-Austin, third in the women’s all-around; Fitch second in barrel racing; and Gunter, third in break away roping and fifth in the all-around; and Kindee Wilson, Filer, third in goat tying.

On the men’s side, ISU will be sending Dallen Gunter, who finished first in the region in men’s team roping heeler, while competing with his sister, Megan, in this event. This is the third time the siblings from McCammon will compete at the College National Finals Rodeo and the second consecutive year they finished first in the region.

Overall, the ISU Men’s Rodeo Team finished seventh in the region.