Knoll Does It Again
Jen Obrigewitch, Asst Rodeo Coach
April 22 - 2012

Lincoln, Neb. -
Great Plains Region bronc riders might be starting to think that Riley Knoll is impossible to beat. For the last eight go rounds in a row, he has been. Knoll spurred his way to scores of 75 and 66 to win claim first in both rounds and the average of the second rodeo hosted by the Cornhuskers of Nebraska. With one rodeo to go, Knoll is already assured of having the 2012 regional championship buckle on his belt. Teammate Bobbi Grann (Jr., Sheyenne, N.D.) will also win the barrel racing regardless of the outcome of Bluehawk Stampede next weekend. Grann finished second to Iowa Central's Bailie Smith in both go-rounds and the average with runs of 14.14 and 14.24. Grann's identical runs of 7.1 in the goat tying earned her the average title and put her within striking distance of teammate Laura Waldo, who currently leads the regional goat tying standings. Waldo (Sr., Warwick, N.D.) fell on her first run, but was still quick enough for a short go berth and she took advantage, tying Grann's 7.1 and moving up to fourth in the average. Waldo also cashed in in the breakaway roping, winning the long round with a 2.8 second run.

Ashley Schaper (Sr., Halliday, N.D.) placed in both rounds with times of 3.3 and 3.2 and ended up second in the breakaway average. Schaper also placed in a round of the team roping with an 8.9 second run heading for Katie Doll of Black Hills State. Stacy Doll (Sr., Prairie City, S.D.) was 7.2 and 8.3 in the goats for third in the long round and the fourth in the average. Victoria Netzer (So., Sidney, Mont.) and Michaela Kathrein (Fr., Dickinson, N.D.) split fourth and fifth in the barrel racing average. Kathrein ran a 14.21 followed by a 14.48 to place third and fifth in the rounds, while Netzer's consistent 14.32 and 14.37 earned her fourth in both rounds. The Lady Hawks ran away with the rodeo, amassing 690 points to South Dakota State's 330 points in second place.
The guys also had a strong outing, scoring 710 points and finishing a respectable second place to a very tough S.D.S.U. team. Senior Turner Harris (Killdeer, N.D.) added to his lead in the heading category by turning two steers for partner Taylor Williams of B.H.S.U. in 7.0 and 7.6 seconds to win both the short go and the average. Matt Wznick (Sr., Sidney, Mont.) continued his ascent in the calf roping standings tying his first calf in a rapid 9.8 seconds and following it up with an eleven flat in the short round for second and fourth in the rounds and third in the average. The bareback riders did their part as well. Jordan Pelton (Jr., Halliday, N.D.) was second in the average with scores of 60 and 70, while the fabulous freshman Blake Smith (Zap, N.D.) marked a 65 and a 56 to claim fourth in the average.

The Hawks face a long drive home at the end of a ten day road trip but will have a weekend off to rest up and prepare to end the season at home. The Bluehawk Stampede gets underway May 4th with slack at noon and a performance at 6:00 pm. The short round will be Saturday at 1:00 pm.