NIRA Alumni, Inc. Allocate $36,500 K To Students at CNFR
By NIRA Alumni, Inc.
The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Alumni, Inc. awarded $36,500 in scholarships at the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) Awards Ceremony June 17 in Casper, Wyoming.
This is the second largest scholarship amount the alumni have given to college rodeo athletes. The alumni have awarded $214,5000 in scholarships since 1992.
Casper has hosted the CNFR’s for 24 years. The city witnessed over 400 cowboys and cowgirls compete in what is known as the pinnacle event for intercollegiate rodeo contestants competing from over 90 colleges and universities.
This year the NIRA Alumni, Inc. committed $500 in scholarships to each of the champions in the ten events and the all around cowboy and cowgirl as well. In addition, the group awarded a $1,500 scholarship to the fourth place men’s team and a $1,000 to the fourth place women’s team. Each rookie of the year in each event and all around rookie cowgirl were given $500. There was not a qualified rookie cowboy. The Stan Harter Memorial Scholarship winner received $1000, and the alumni contributed $500 scholarships to the go round winners in each of the four rounds in all events. And rounding out the $36,500 was the $500 scholarship to the 2024 NIRA Student President, Jessica Stevens, Montana State University.
The $500 NIRAA Event Championship Scholarships were awarded to at the completion of the CNFR June 17 to the following CNFR event winners:
Bareback Riding: Weston Timberman, Clarendon College
Tie-Down Roping: Kincaid Henry, Texas A & M University, Commerce
Breakaway Roping: Makayla. Farkas, West Hills College
Saddle Bronc Riding: (Tie) Damian Brennan, Western Texas College & Quintin McWhorter, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Goat Tying: Paige Rasmussen, Montana State University
Steer Wrestling: JT Ellison, University of Western Alabama
Team Roping Header: Slade Wood, Southwest Texas Junior College
Team Roping Heeler: Logan Moore, Wharton County Junior College
Barrel Racing: Taycie Matthews, University of Western Alabama
Bull Riding: Tristen Hutchings, Sul Ross State University
All Around Cowboy: Quade Hiatt, West Texas A&M University
All Around Cowgirl: Haiden Thompson, Gillette College
A $1,500 NIRA Alumni, Inc. scholarship was presented to Missouri Valley College who won the Fourth Place Men’s Team competition. Southwestern Oklahoma State University cowgirls were awarded the $1,000 Women’s Team Fourth Place Scholarship.
$500 NIRA Alumni, Inc. Rookie of the Year scholarships were presented to the following students in their designated college rodeo events:
Bareback Riding: Weston Timberman, Clarendon College
Tie-Down Roping: Kass Newman Central Arizona College
Breakaway Roping: Haiden Thompson, Gillette College
Saddle Bronc Riding: Slade Keith, Clarendon College
Steer Wrestling: Traver Johnson, Montana State University
Goat Tying: Haiden Thompson, Gillette College
Team Roping-Header: Slade Wood, Southwest Texas Junior College
Team Roping-Heeler: Nicholas Lovins, Western Oklahoma State College
Barrel Racing: Emma Ricke, Northeastern Oklahoma A & M
Bull Riding: Caden Bunch Southeastern Oklahoma State University
All Around Cowgirl: Haiden Thompson, Gillette College
The NIRA Alumni, Inc. $1,000 Stan Harter Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Dalton Kunkee. He plans to attend South Dakota State University. Mary Fuller, NIRA Board President presented the award to Dalton during the June 16 CNFR performance. The scholarships were made possible by: Fuller, Dan Harter, and Del Nose.
The first go round $500 scholarship recipients included the following:
Bareback Riding: Weston Timberman, Clarendon College
Tie-Down Roping: Kincade Henry, Texas A & M University – Commerce
Breakaway Roping: (tie) Maggie Usher, Cal Poly State University; Tyree Cochrane, Cal Poly State University; Sydney Theobald, Black Hills State University; and Zoie Bedke Idaho State University
Saddle Bronc Riding: Quintin McWhorter, Cal Poly State University
Steer Wrestling: Cash Robb, Texas A&M University – Commerce
Goat Tying: Aimee Davis, Cal Poly State University,
Team Roping Header:Slade Wood, Southwest Texas Junior College
Team Roping Heeler: Logan Moore, Wharton County Junior College
Barrel Racing: Taycie Matthews, University of West Alabama
Bull Riding: Dawson Gleaves, Weatherford College
Winners of the second go round $500 scholarships were:
Bareback Riding: Sage Allen, College of Southern Idaho
Tie-Down Roping: Kincaid Henry-Texas A & M University, Commerce
Breakaway Roping-Haiden Thompson, Gillette College
Saddle Bronc Riding: Shea Fournier, McNeese State University
Steer Wrestling: Mike Nannini, Montana State University
Goat Tying: Kaylee Cormier, McNeese State University
Team Roping Header: Garrett Elmore, Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Team Roping Heeler: Jessen James, Western Oklahoma State College
Barrel Racing: Taycie Matthews, University of West Alabama
Bull Riding: Wyatt Phelps, Sheridan College
Third go round $500 scholarships were awarded to:
Bareback Riding: Ty Pope, Missouri Valley College
Tie-Down Roping: Quade Hiatt, West Texas A&M University
Breakaway Roping: (tie) Kenli Raby, Missouri Valley College, and Emma Eiguren, Treasure Valley Community College
Saddle Bronc Riding: Damian Brennan, Western Texas College
Steer Wrestling: Trace Harris, Texas A&M University,
Goat Tying: Kenna McNeill, University of Wyoming
Team Roping Header: Cam Jensen, University of Wyoming Team Roping Heeler:Tanner McInerney, Gillette College
Barrel Racing: Tayla Moeykens, Montana State University
Bull Riding: Tristen Hutchings, Sul Ross State University
The fourth go round $500 scholarship awards went to:
Bareback Riding: Weston Timberman, Clarendon College
Tie-Down Roping: Cutter Carpenter, Texas A&M University
Breakaway Roping: Raegan Steed, College of Southern Idaho,
Saddle Bronc Riding:Quintin McWhorter, Cal Poly State University
Steer Wrestling: Mason Couch, Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Goat Tying: Paige Rasmussen, Montana State University
Team Roping Header: Mason Appleton, Westen Oklahoma College
Team Roping Heeler: Nicholas Lovins, Western Oklahoma College
Barrel Racing: Tayla Moeykens, Montana State University
Bull Riding: Caden Bunch, Southeastern Oklahoma State University
The NIRA Alumni, Inc. Board of Directors met June 16 in Casper, Wyoming. They voted to award $40,000 plus next year at the CNFR in scholarships.
If you would like to contribute, you can pay online with a credit card at or send a check payable to NIRA Alumni, Inc. NIRA Alumni, Inc. 3211 Elys Path San Antonio, Texas 78230. Please include your address, phone number and email address with your check.
The organization is a 501 (c) (3) organization and 100% of contributions will go to the NIRA Alumni. Inc. college rodeo scholarship fund.