Two Western Texas College (WTC) cowboys will compete in the “Super Bowl of collegiate rodeo” next week when they participate in the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in Casper, Wyo.
Freshmen Colten Fritzlan and Rooster Yazzie both qualified for the CNFR by placing in the top three in their events in the southwest region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. Fritzlan led the region’s standings in bull riding, while Yazzie finished third in steer wrestling.
The pair will be going up against the best that collegiate rodeo has to offer at the CNFR.
“For college rodeo, it’s basically the Super Bowl,” WTC rodeo coach Greg Rhodes said. “It will determine the national champions from among all the regions. It’s like our college football championship for the year.”
Frtizlan, from Rifle, Colo., is expected to be in the hunt for a national bull riding title.
“There’s 17 schools in our region,” Rhodes said. “It’s the largest region in the nation and the toughest region in the nation. It’s basically the SEC (Southeastern Conference) of college rodeo. Colton is very dedicated to his event, and I also like his overall professionalism to how he approaches riding bulls.”
Rhodes also expects big thing from Brimhall Nizhoni, N.M. native Yazzie.
“He really is one of the top steer wrestlers in the nation,” Rhodes said. “Any of the guys who finished first through fifth could have won the region and Rooster’s ability is right there with all of them. His dedication to steer wrestling — not just in college but beyond — is what makes him so special.”
Both cowboys will compete in three preliminary rounds in an attempt to qualify for the final round on June 15. Fritzlan will compete on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, while Yazzie will compete Monday and in two rounds Tuesday.
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