(Hastings, Neb.) – The inaugural Bobby Gottsch Jr. Memorial Hastings College Rodeo, held at the Adams County Fairgrounds in Hastings April 26-27, was named Rodeo of the Year by members the Great Plains Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association.
The region featured 10 rodeos this year, and representatives from 15 competing colleges and universities plus 10 event directors voted on the award following the final rodeo of the season at Dickinson State University May 3-4.
“When the announcement was made, they said we won in a landslide,” said Hastings College Rodeo Coach Justen Nokes. “That’s a testimony to the more than 3,000 fans who came out over the two days support it, everyone who was involved in organizing our first rodeo and the sponsors who helped make it happen.”
Nokes said planning is already underway for next year’s rodeo. “The feedback we’ve received from competitors, coaches and those who came to enjoy the rodeo has been overwhelmingly positive, but we’re looking to add some things and make it even better,” Nokes said.
Dates for next year’s rodeo will be announced once the Great Plains Region’s schedule is set.
Also at the final regional rodeo of the season, Hastings College rodeo team member Richard Coats qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo in steer wrestling. This makes back-to-back years Coats has qualified for nationals. Only the top three competitors from each of college rodeo’s 11 regions can qualify for nationals, putting the senior business major from Hastings in an elite group.
The College National Finals Rodeo is scheduled for June 9-15, 2013, in Casper, Wyo.
