NIRA Alumni, Inc. Allocate $38K To Students at CNFR
The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Alumni, Inc. awarded $38,000 in scholarships at the College National Finals Rodeo June 12-18 in Casper, Wyoming.
This is the second largest scholarship amount the alumni have given to college rodeo athletes. The alumni have awarded $180,000 in scholarships since 1992.
Casper has hosted the CNFR’s for 23 years. The city has witnessed 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 cowboy and cowgirl were given $500. The Stan Harter Memorial Scholarship winners received $1000 and $500, and the alumni contributed $500 scholarships to the go round winners in each of the four rounds in all events. And rounding out the $38,000 was the $1,000 Jerry Beagley award for the top rough stock rider and timed event cowboy and a $500 NIRA Student President scholarship.
Don Reichert, NIRA Alumni President, explained, “The NIRA Alumni were happy to be able to award $38,000 in scholarships to winners at the CNFR this year. These scholarships help young rodeo athletes pursue their education and continue to compete in intercollegiate rodeos. Many alumni say that college rodeo and scholarships kept them in school and made a huge difference in their lives. It is very satisfying to know the NIRA Alumni are able to give the scholarship recipients financial support while they are earning a marketable degree.”
The $1,500 NIRA Alumni, Inc. scholarship was presented to Casper College who won the Fourth Place Men’s Team competition. Texas A & M University-Commerce 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: Tyler Griffin, Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Tie-Down Roping: Trevor Hale, Cisco College
Breakaway Roping: Kenlie Raby, Missouri Valley College
Saddle Bronc Riding: John Allen, Iowa Central Community College
Steer Wrestling: Cole Eiguren, Weber State University
Goat Tying: Lakin Cunningham, Missouri Valley College
Team Roping-Header: Brad Moreno, Central Arizona College
Team Roping-Heeler: Logan Cullen, Central Arizona College
Barrel Racing: Hadley Tidwell, Ranger College
Bull Riding: Andy Guzman, Mesa Community College
All Around Cowboy: Andy Guzman, Mesa Community Collet
All Around Cowgirl: Kenlie Raby, Missouri Valley College
The NIRA Alumni, Inc. Stan Harter Memorial Scholarship were awarded to two individuals this year: Josie Goodrich, Washington State University and Madison Deck, Murray State University. Josie received a $1,000 scholarship and Madison received a $500 award.
Del Nose, NIRA Board Member presented the awards to the two coeds during the June 15 CNFR performance. The scholarships were made possible by the following donors: Del Nose, Mary Fuller, and an anonymous donor.
Brad Moreno, Central Valley College won the $1,000 Jerry Beagley All Around Cowboy Award. This award was awarded to Brad because he placed in both a timed event and rough stock event during the CNFR. Beagley was a duo competitor when he attended college in the 70’s and awards the scholarship annually.
Additionally, the NIRA Alumni, Inc. gave a $500 NIRA Student President Scholarship to Tyree Cochrane, Cal Poly State University. Harlan Schott a former NIRA Student President contributed the scholarship.
The $500 NIRA Event Champions Scholarships were awarded to at the completion of the CNFR June 18:
Bareback Riding: Ty Pope, Missouri Valley College
Tie-Down Roping-Kincade Henry, Panola College
Breakaway Roping: Bryanna Lehrmann, Texas A & M University-Commerce
Saddle Bronc Riding-Shae Fournier, McNeese State University
Goat Tying (tie): Kamryn Duncan, McNeese State University and Maddie Doerr, Cochise College
Steer Wrestling-Walt Arnold, Tarleton State University
Team Roping: Riley Kittle, Cisco College and Josh Helton, Weatherford College
Barrel Racing: Sadie Wolaver, Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Bull Riding: Casey Roberts, Three Rivers College
All Around Cowboy: Colt Walker, University of Tennessee
All Around Cowgirl: Bryana Lehrmann, Texas A & M University-Commerce
The first go round $500 scholarship recipients included the following:
Bareback Riding: Cole Franks, Missouri Valley College
Tie-Down Roping: Kincaid Henry, Panola College
Breakaway Roping (tie):
Kaytlyn Miller, Texas Tech University
Lubbock, and Delaney Kunau, University of Nevada – Las Vegas
Saddle Bronc Riding: Ryder Sanford, McNeese State University
Steer Wrestling: Walt Arnold, Tarleton State University
Goat Tying: Mersadie Martin, Sam Houston State University
Team Roping Header: (Tie):
J.C. Yeahquo, Western Oklahoma State University
Cobie Dodds, Feather River College
Team Roping Heeler: L.J. Yeahquo, Oklahoma State University and Cole Dodds, California State University
Barrel Racing: Bradi Good, Weatherford College
Bull Riding: Casey Roberts, Three Rivers College
Winners of the second go round $500 scholarships were:
Bareback Riding: Dennis Jacobson, Fort Scott, Kansas
Tie-Down Roping: Cole Walker, University of Tennessee
Breakaway Roping (tie):
Bryanna Lehrmann, Texas A & M University-Commerce
Madalyn S. Richards, Texas A & M University
Saddle Bronc Riding: Ryder Sanford, McNeese State University
Steer Wrestling: Tucker Alberts, Missouri Valley College
Goat Tying: Paige Rasmussen, Montana State UniversityTeam
Roping Header (tie):
Mason Moore, Sam Houston State University
Riley Ricken, Panola College
Corben Culley, Western Oklahoma State College
Team Roping Heeler (tie):
Logan Moore, Wharton County College
Devon Johnson, Trinity Valley College
Shane Jenkins, Northeastern Oklahoma A & M.
Barrel Racing: Emma Smith, Texas A & M University
Bull Riding:Tristen Hutchings, Sul Ross State University
Third go round $500 scholarships were awarded to:
Bareback Riding: Kirby Schneiter, Western Texas College
Tie-Down Roping: Chance Thiessen, Weatherford College
Breakaway Roping: Kenlie Raby, Missouri Valley College
Saddle Bronc Riding: Shae Fournier, McNeese State University
Steer Wrestling: Gavin Soileau, McNeese State University
Goat Tying: Mersadie Martin, Sam Houston State University
Team Roping Header: Bodie Mattson, Gillette College
Team Roping Heeler: Trae Smith, Casper College
Barrel Racing: Jaylie Matthews, East Mississippi Community College
Bull Riding: Cole Skender, Three Rivers College
The fourth go round $500 scholarship awards went to:
Bareback Riding: Ty Pope, Missouri Valley College
Tie-Down Roping: Trevor Hale, Cisco College
Breakaway Roping: Kaylee Cornia, Idaho State University
Saddle Bronc Riding: Cash Wilson, Tarleton State University
Steer Wrestling: Walt Arnold, Tarleton State University
Goat Tying: Kristin Reeves, Weatherford College
Team Roping Header: Brad Moreno, Central Valley College
Team Roping Heeler: Jaken Todacheenie, Northland Pioneer College
Barrel Racing: Traycie Matthews, East Mississippi Community College
Bull Riding: Casey Roberts, Three Rivers College
The NIRA Alumni, Inc. Board of Directors met June 16 in Casper, Wyoming. They voted to give $30,000 plus next year at the CNFR in scholarships.
If you would like to contribute, you can pay online with a credit card at https:// www.fundraise.com/niraascholarshipfund 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.
2022 NIRA Alumni Scholarship Sponsors included: Jimmy & Jenna Lee Adams, Ken & Sharon Adams, Chris Allison, Beacon Club, Butch & Shannon Bratsky, Kyle & Christi Braudrick, Dave Brock, Larry & DeEtta Burgess, Charles Chambers, Sam Cordes, Judy Cowdrey, Jackie Crawford, Jay & Merrill Ellis, Mary Fuller, Mary Fuller’s Flyball Team, Brad & Jackie Gjermundson, Patrick Greany, Drew & Sherry Hayes, Lloyd & Mary Ann Hill, Barbara Hintz, Don Howell, Barbara Jolly, Larry & Martha Jordan, Amanda Kaufman, Evelyn Kingsbery, Lionel Lane, Ned & Chris Londo, Sylvia Mahoney, Pam Miller, Tom & Vivan Miller, Jim Moore, Don & Pat Reichert, Ron Skovly, Harlan Schott, Chuck Sylvester, Dean Wang-Bank of Baker, Fred & Clara Wilson, and World of Rodeo Reunion-Larry & Martha Jordan.