North Platte High School (NPHS) announces the addition of baseball as a spring sports option for the 2023-2024 school year. Interest in adding baseball for NPHS students has grown immensely, and adding this option as a sport for our students is an easy decision for the high school.

Jimmie Rhodes, Director of NPHS Activities, announced the decision to include baseball as a spring sports option earlier this month. In a conversation with Rhodes, he stated, ‘We are in pursuit of offering quality programs that interest our students at North Platte High School.’ Rhodes added, ‘I have fielded multiple questions about adding baseball for our boys to NPHS and am excited to help make this dream a reality here at North Platte Public Schools.’

Baseball at North Platte High School is sanctioned by the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) and will start its inaugural year with a limited schedule. Rhodes asks that anyone with questions about the new program please contact him at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:jrhodes@nppsd.org">jrhodes@nppsd.org</a>. Additionally, anyone interested in a coaching position should apply at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nppsd.org/page/employment" target="_blank">https://www.nppsd.org/page/employment</a>.

‘North Platte Public Schools is proud to support the addition of baseball at the high school,’ stated Dr. Todd Rhodes, Superintendent of Schools. ‘We look forward to cheering on our Bulldog Baseball players next spring as they take the field to represent NPHS,’ Dr. Rhodes added in a recent interview about the new program.

To stay connected with all North Platte Public Schools Activities, visit our website at https://www.nppsd.org/.

Story by NPPSD CommunicationsNorth Platte High School (NPHS) announces the addition of baseball as a spring sports option for the 2023-2024 school year. Interest in adding baseball for NPHS students has grown immensely, and adding this option as a sport for our students is an easy decision for the high school.Jimmie Rhodes, Director of NPHS Activities, announced the decision to include baseball as a spring sports option earlier this month. In a conversation with Rhodes, he stated, ‘We are in pursuit of offering quality programs that interest our students at North Platte High School.’ Rhodes added, ‘I have fielded multiple questions about adding baseball for our boys to NPHS and am excited to help make this dream a reality here at North Platte Public Schools.’Baseball at North Platte High School is sanctioned by the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) and will start its inaugural year with a limited schedule. Rhodes asks that anyone with questions about the new program please contact him at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:jrhodes@nppsd.org">jrhodes@nppsd.org</a>. Additionally, anyone interested in a coaching position should apply at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nppsd.org/page/employment" target="_blank">https://www.nppsd.org/page/employment</a>.‘North Platte Public Schools is proud to support the addition of baseball at the high school,’ stated Dr. Todd Rhodes, Superintendent of Schools. ‘We look forward to cheering on our Bulldog Baseball players next spring as they take the field to represent NPHS,’ Dr. Rhodes added in a recent interview about the new program.To stay connected with all North Platte Public Schools Activities, visit our website at https://www.nppsd.org/.

Baseball coming to North Platte High School

Story by UNK Athletic Communications

Wes Ferguson&nbsp;and&nbsp;Brayden&nbsp;Sorensen&nbsp;will represent Nebraska Kearney at the 2023 Toyota U.S. Track &amp; Field (USATF) Outdoor Championships this weekend (July 6-9) in Eugene, Oreg. Ferguson (800-meters) and Sorensen (high jump) had to hit necessary times and marks to qualify. This will be Sorensen's second straight appearance; he currently is in a four-way tie for 16th (7-1.75) with Ferguson ranking eighth out of 32 (1:45.46) among declared competitors. Fans can follow along with&nbsp;<a href="https://results.usatf.org/2023Outdoors/" target="_blank">live results</a>&nbsp;or watch via&nbsp;<a href="http://www.usatf.tv/" target="_blank">www.usatf.tv/</a>.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usatf.tv/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=45365&amp;mgroup_event_id=7289&amp;year=2023&amp;do=videos&amp;video_id=362742" target="_blank">CNBC and Peacock</a>&nbsp;will also provide some coverage daily.&nbsp;

A three-time Division II national champion in the 800 (two outdoor and one indoor), Ferguson (Fremont) will run in the first round on Thursday at 4:50 p.m. Central. If he performs well enough, he'll advance to Friday's semifinals (9:45 p.m. Central) with the finals set for Sunday night (8:25 p.m. Central). Will Sumner of Georgia (1:44.26) and Bryce&nbsp;Hoppel&nbsp;of&nbsp;adidas&nbsp;(1:44.55) rank first and second, respectively. The high jump starts Sunday at 7:05 p.m. Central. The initial height will be close or at Sorensen's career-best effort of 7-1.75. The current leader is&nbsp;JuVaughn&nbsp;Harrison of PUMA (7-7.75). Also heading to Eugene is incoming&nbsp;freshman&nbsp;javelin thrower&nbsp;Wyatt Hammond&nbsp;(Norton, Kan.). He qualified for the U.S. Under 20 Championships thanks to a throw of 195-9. He'll complete Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Central with the field including five current Division I throwers including Nebraska's Dash&nbsp;Sirmon.

Story by UNK Athletic CommunicationsWes Ferguson&nbsp;and&nbsp;Brayden&nbsp;Sorensen&nbsp;will represent Nebraska Kearney at the 2023 Toyota U.S. Track &amp; Field (USATF) Outdoor Championships this weekend (July 6-9) in Eugene, Oreg. Ferguson (800-meters) and Sorensen (high jump) had to hit necessary times and marks to qualify. This will be Sorensen's second straight appearance; he currently is in a four-way tie for 16th (7-1.75) with Ferguson ranking eighth out of 32 (1:45.46) among declared competitors. Fans can follow along with&nbsp;<a href="https://results.usatf.org/2023Outdoors/" target="_blank">live results</a>&nbsp;or watch via&nbsp;<a href="http://www.usatf.tv/" target="_blank">www.usatf.tv/</a>.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usatf.tv/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=45365&amp;mgroup_event_id=7289&amp;year=2023&amp;do=videos&amp;video_id=362742" target="_blank">CNBC and Peacock</a>&nbsp;will also provide some coverage daily.&nbsp; A three-time Division II national champion in the 800 (two outdoor and one indoor), Ferguson (Fremont) will run in the first round on Thursday at 4:50 p.m. Central. If he performs well enough, he'll advance to Friday's semifinals (9:45 p.m. Central) with the finals set for Sunday night (8:25 p.m. Central). Will Sumner of Georgia (1:44.26) and Bryce&nbsp;Hoppel&nbsp;of&nbsp;adidas&nbsp;(1:44.55) rank first and second, respectively. The high jump starts Sunday at 7:05 p.m. Central. The initial height will be close or at Sorensen's career-best effort of 7-1.75. The current leader is&nbsp;JuVaughn&nbsp;Harrison of PUMA (7-7.75). Also heading to Eugene is incoming&nbsp;freshman&nbsp;javelin thrower&nbsp;Wyatt Hammond&nbsp;(Norton, Kan.). He qualified for the U.S. Under 20 Championships thanks to a throw of 195-9. He'll complete Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Central with the field including five current Division I throwers including Nebraska's Dash&nbsp;Sirmon.

Two UNK stars plus an incoming freshmen in Eugene

Paxton Gordon sat down with North Platte Plainsmen owner Chuck Heeman to discuss upcoming events for the Plainsmen.&nbsp;

NORTH PLATTE, NEB - The North Platte Plainsmen second season is underway here in North Platte. The Plainsmen bring a family fun entertainment to North Platte with high quality baseball featuring college players from all around the United States, fun promotion nights, games for kids, and so much more. Chuck Heeman, owner of the Plainsmen, has been in the baseball business for a long time and knows how to bring family fun entertainment to the town.&nbsp;

For the second season, the Plainsmen have dealt with rain for a good chunk of the first half of the season. "I have never seen the spring rains go so long into June and it's really just thrown our schedule all over the place," said North Platte Plainsmen Owner Chuck Heeman. "It looks like we have some good summer weather coming, so 4th of July weekend is looking to be spectacular." So far this season, the Plainsmen have had a handful of postponements or games delayed/called due to the rain.&nbsp;

The North Platte Plainsmen are gearing to get the second half of their season underway. The team has many events comings that the family can enjoy. The Plainsmen also will be hosting a 4th of July game against the United States Military War Dogs. The War Dogs is a group of veterans who get together during the spring to train for the season and then travel around the United States playing Major, Minor, and Summer Colligate teams. For more information regarding the North Platte Plainsmen or for tickets, <a href="https://www.northplatteplainsmen.com/" target="_blank">click here.</a>&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655346441244.png" alt="<a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored By North Platte Kubota</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored By North Platte Kubota</a></figcaption>
 </figure>Paxton Gordon sat down with North Platte Plainsmen owner Chuck Heeman to discuss upcoming events for the Plainsmen.&nbsp;<div><iframe title="North Platte Plainsmen Owner - Conversation with Chuck Heeman" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=a95qe-1446e89-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=1&fonts=Times%20New%20Roman&skin=1b1b1b&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>NORTH PLATTE, NEB - The North Platte Plainsmen second season is underway here in North Platte. The Plainsmen bring a family fun entertainment to North Platte with high quality baseball featuring college players from all around the United States, fun promotion nights, games for kids, and so much more. Chuck Heeman, owner of the Plainsmen, has been in the baseball business for a long time and knows how to bring family fun entertainment to the town.&nbsp;For the second season, the Plainsmen have dealt with rain for a good chunk of the first half of the season. "I have never seen the spring rains go so long into June and it's really just thrown our schedule all over the place," said North Platte Plainsmen Owner Chuck Heeman. "It looks like we have some good summer weather coming, so 4th of July weekend is looking to be spectacular." So far this season, the Plainsmen have had a handful of postponements or games delayed/called due to the rain.&nbsp;The North Platte Plainsmen are gearing to get the second half of their season underway. The team has many events comings that the family can enjoy. The Plainsmen also will be hosting a 4th of July game against the United States Military War Dogs. The War Dogs is a group of veterans who get together during the spring to train for the season and then travel around the United States playing Major, Minor, and Summer Colligate teams. For more information regarding the North Platte Plainsmen or for tickets, <a href="https://www.northplatteplainsmen.com/" target="_blank">click here.</a>&nbsp;

(Audio) North Platte Plainsmen's Owner - Conversation With Chuck Heeman

NORTH PLATTE, NEB - The North Platte Plainsmen are hosting a First Responders Challenge June 30th at Bill Wood Field. The event features a highly competitive softball game all in the name of charity, featuring area police officers versus area fire personnel.

All ticket sales for this event will go directly to the Families 1st Partnership and all funds raised are staying local. There will be games, concessions, and alcohol/nonalcoholic beverages at the event. If you would like to purchase tickets to the event, <a href="https://www.showpass.com/2023-single-game-tickets-north-23-07-08-18-5013/seating/">click here.</a>

First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. central time.

North Platte PostNORTH PLATTE, NEB - The North Platte Plainsmen are hosting a First Responders Challenge June 30th at Bill Wood Field. The event features a highly competitive softball game all in the name of charity, featuring area police officers versus area fire personnel. All ticket sales for this event will go directly to the Families 1st Partnership and all funds raised are staying local. There will be games, concessions, and alcohol/nonalcoholic beverages at the event. If you would like to purchase tickets to the event, <a href="https://www.showpass.com/2023-single-game-tickets-north-23-07-08-18-5013/seating/">click here.</a> First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. central time.

North Platte Plainsmen host First Responders Challenge Friday

Story by Tri-City Storm Communications

The United States Hockey League (USHL) recently released the&nbsp;schedule for all member clubs for the 2023-2024 regular season, setting the stage for the Tri-City Storm’s twenty-fourth season in organizational history. The Storm’s regular season will begin at the 2023 DICK’s Sporting Goods USHL Fall Classic at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania. The event will take place in September prior to the Storm’s Home Opener at the Viaero Center on Friday, September 29th&nbsp;against the Sioux City Musketeers. Dates and opponents for all sixteen USHL Member Clubs at the USHL Fall Classic will be announced at a later date. Preseason games, jersey theme nights, and various other promotions will be announced at a later date. Season tickets for the 2023-2024 season are on sale now, and may be purchased by contacting a member of the Storm sales staff at the Viaero Center.

New this season, all Saturday games at the Viaero Center will begin at 6:05pm CT. Friday home games will begin at 7:05pm, and puck drop for Sunday home games is set for 3:05pm CT. A special 6:05pm CT start time will be in effect on New Year’s Eve for the Storm’s showdown with the Lincoln Stars at the Viaero Center. This year’s schedule will feature cross-conference play, similar to the 2019-2020 regular season. Tri-City will play over fifteen games against teams from the USHL’s Eastern Conference. The Storm will host the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (October 6th), Dubuque Fighting Saints (October 21st),&nbsp;&nbsp;Muskegon Lumberjacks (November 17th, November 18th), Green Bay Gamblers (December 1st, December 2nd), and Team USA (January 5th, January 6th) at the Viaero Center this season. Tri-City will travel to play road games against Eastern Conference competition against the Dubuque Fighting Saints (October 27th), Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (October 28th), Youngstown Phantoms (November 3rd, November 4th), Madison Capitols (January 26th, January 27th), and Chicago Steel (February 16th, February 17th).

The complete Tri-City Storm schedule for the 2023-2024 season can be found online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ushl.com/" target="_blank">www.USHL.com</a>. This year’s schedule will feature thirty home games at the Viaero Center in Kearney, including the team’s Home Opener on Friday, September 29th. The Storm will play sixty-two regular season games, beginning at the USHL Fall Classic in September. Season Tickets may be purchased by calling the Viaero Center Box Office at 308-338-8144 or by contacting a member of the Storm sales staff.&nbsp;#StormAhead

Story by Tri-City Storm CommunicationsThe United States Hockey League (USHL) recently released the&nbsp;schedule for all member clubs for the 2023-2024 regular season, setting the stage for the Tri-City Storm’s twenty-fourth season in organizational history. The Storm’s regular season will begin at the 2023 DICK’s Sporting Goods USHL Fall Classic at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania. The event will take place in September prior to the Storm’s Home Opener at the Viaero Center on Friday, September 29th&nbsp;against the Sioux City Musketeers. Dates and opponents for all sixteen USHL Member Clubs at the USHL Fall Classic will be announced at a later date. Preseason games, jersey theme nights, and various other promotions will be announced at a later date. Season tickets for the 2023-2024 season are on sale now, and may be purchased by contacting a member of the Storm sales staff at the Viaero Center.New this season, all Saturday games at the Viaero Center will begin at 6:05pm CT. Friday home games will begin at 7:05pm, and puck drop for Sunday home games is set for 3:05pm CT. A special 6:05pm CT start time will be in effect on New Year’s Eve for the Storm’s showdown with the Lincoln Stars at the Viaero Center. This year’s schedule will feature cross-conference play, similar to the 2019-2020 regular season. Tri-City will play over fifteen games against teams from the USHL’s Eastern Conference. The Storm will host the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (October 6th), Dubuque Fighting Saints (October 21st),&nbsp;&nbsp;Muskegon Lumberjacks (November 17th, November 18th), Green Bay Gamblers (December 1st, December 2nd), and Team USA (January 5th, January 6th) at the Viaero Center this season. Tri-City will travel to play road games against Eastern Conference competition against the Dubuque Fighting Saints (October 27th), Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (October 28th), Youngstown Phantoms (November 3rd, November 4th), Madison Capitols (January 26th, January 27th), and Chicago Steel (February 16th, February 17th).The complete Tri-City Storm schedule for the 2023-2024 season can be found online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ushl.com/" target="_blank">www.USHL.com</a>. This year’s schedule will feature thirty home games at the Viaero Center in Kearney, including the team’s Home Opener on Friday, September 29th. The Storm will play sixty-two regular season games, beginning at the USHL Fall Classic in September. Season Tickets may be purchased by calling the Viaero Center Box Office at 308-338-8144 or by contacting a member of the Storm sales staff.&nbsp;#StormAhead

The 2023-2024 Tri-City Storm schedule

Story by NU Athletic Communications

Former Nebraska All-American Spencer Schwellenbach was selected by Major League Baseball for the 2023 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game.

Schwellenbach, a first-team All-American and John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year at Nebraska, will join a group of 25 prospects on the National League roster that will go against 25 prospects on the American League roster on July 8 at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park. The game will be televised nationally on the MLB Network at 6 p.m. CT.

A second-round draft pick in 2021, Schwellenbach has opened his professional career with a 3-2 record and 2.76 ERA in 12 starts at Single-A Augusta in the Atlanta Braves organization.

Schwellenbach is the fourth former Husker to play in the Futures game, joining Jamal Strong (2001), Alex Gordon (2006) and Joba Chamberlain (2007). All three Huskers eventually reached the Major Leagues after playing in the Futures game.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsFormer Nebraska All-American Spencer Schwellenbach was selected by Major League Baseball for the 2023 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game.Schwellenbach, a first-team All-American and John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year at Nebraska, will join a group of 25 prospects on the National League roster that will go against 25 prospects on the American League roster on July 8 at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park. The game will be televised nationally on the MLB Network at 6 p.m. CT.A second-round draft pick in 2021, Schwellenbach has opened his professional career with a 3-2 record and 2.76 ERA in 12 starts at Single-A Augusta in the Atlanta Braves organization.Schwellenbach is the fourth former Husker to play in the Futures game, joining Jamal Strong (2001), Alex Gordon (2006) and Joba Chamberlain (2007). All three Huskers eventually reached the Major Leagues after playing in the Futures game.

Schwellenbach selected for All-Star Futures Game

Canon Rath talked with North Platte Plainsmen Interns Sage Crane and Frankie Enna about their journey so far in North Platte and upcoming events the Plainsmen are hosting. &nbsp;

NORTH PLATTE, NEB - The North Platte Plainsmen season is underway. Coaches, players, and interns come from all round the United States to spend their summer in North Platte. While folks go to the games to watch the players in action, behind the scenes, interns are finding ways to create a great atmosphere at the Plainsmen's games. This season, the Plainsmen have 9 interns on their roster.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sage Crane, who is the stadium operations intern, is a Junior at Missouri Southern State University majoring in business management. She chose to come to North Platte this summer as the stadium operations internship to help her gain experience for her career path. "I wanted to look for an internship in the sports aspect of things because I really like the hospitality side of things as well," said Stadium Operations Intern Sage Crane. "So, stadium operations I feel like was a good fit for me so I can gain more experience and knowledge within my field of studies."&nbsp;

Frankie Enna, who is the social media intern, is also from Missouri Southern State University where she is a senior majoring in public relations and a minor in graphic designs. She is currently the student photography and helps assist social media pages for Missouri Southern. "I help assist with social media while my main job is photography over there (Missouri Southern), so that's what made me come over here and broaden my experience in social media," said Social Media Intern Frankie Enna.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The North Platte Plainsmen always have fun events going on for everyone to enjoy. They have a youth camp coming up June 27th - June 29th. If you would like to register for the camp, <a href="https://npplainsmen.leagueapps.com/camps/3954037-2023-plainsmen-youth-camp" target="_blank">click here.</a> Also, if you would like to rent out the party deck at Bill Wood Field during a North Platte Plainsmen game, call the Plainsmen office at 308-252-1445.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655346441244.png" alt="<a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored By North Platte Kubota</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored By North Platte Kubota</a></figcaption>
 </figure>Canon Rath talked with North Platte Plainsmen Interns Sage Crane and Frankie Enna about their journey so far in North Platte and upcoming events the Plainsmen are hosting. &nbsp;<div><iframe title="(audio) North Platte Plainsmen Interns - Conversation with Sage Crane & Frankie Enna" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=a956j-143ce44-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=1&fonts=Times%20New%20Roman&skin=1b1b1b&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00"></iframe></div>NORTH PLATTE, NEB - The North Platte Plainsmen season is underway. Coaches, players, and interns come from all round the United States to spend their summer in North Platte. While folks go to the games to watch the players in action, behind the scenes, interns are finding ways to create a great atmosphere at the Plainsmen's games. This season, the Plainsmen have 9 interns on their roster.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sage Crane, who is the stadium operations intern, is a Junior at Missouri Southern State University majoring in business management. She chose to come to North Platte this summer as the stadium operations internship to help her gain experience for her career path. "I wanted to look for an internship in the sports aspect of things because I really like the hospitality side of things as well," said Stadium Operations Intern Sage Crane. "So, stadium operations I feel like was a good fit for me so I can gain more experience and knowledge within my field of studies."&nbsp;Frankie Enna, who is the social media intern, is also from Missouri Southern State University where she is a senior majoring in public relations and a minor in graphic designs. She is currently the student photography and helps assist social media pages for Missouri Southern. "I help assist with social media while my main job is photography over there (Missouri Southern), so that's what made me come over here and broaden my experience in social media," said Social Media Intern Frankie Enna.&nbsp;&nbsp;The North Platte Plainsmen always have fun events going on for everyone to enjoy. They have a youth camp coming up June 27th - June 29th. If you would like to register for the camp, <a href="https://npplainsmen.leagueapps.com/camps/3954037-2023-plainsmen-youth-camp" target="_blank">click here.</a> Also, if you would like to rent out the party deck at Bill Wood Field during a North Platte Plainsmen game, call the Plainsmen office at 308-252-1445.&nbsp;

(Audio) North Platte Plainsmen Interns - Conversation with Sage Crane & Frankie Enna

Races tonight have been cancelled due to rain at the Lincoln County Raceway in North Platte.&nbsp;Makeup date is this Saturday, June 24th with a 3 pm start so Nebraskaland Days concert goers can still make the concert at 7pm.&nbsp;Same classes- same program!

Races tonight have been cancelled due to rain at the Lincoln County Raceway in North Platte.&nbsp;Makeup date is this Saturday, June 24th with a 3 pm start so Nebraskaland Days concert goers can still make the concert at 7pm.&nbsp;Same classes- same program!<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FLincolnCountyRaceway%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0N4gra8NHNH5DDc6jeGrSxj4YXUdZDpmZ6PJEMaNw8mbLQVKFouZswfDnocJW5Qskl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="474" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>

Lincoln County Races postponed to Saturday afternoon due to rain this morning

Story by Buffalo Bill Rodeo Communications

NORTH PLATTE, Neb - With his win at the
Buffalo Bill Rodeo in North Platte, bareback rider Tanner Aus got a shot in the
arm.

The Granite Falls, Minn.
cowboy won first place and $2405 in his event, with his score of 82 points.

It’s enough to keep him
in the top fifteen in the PRCA world standings, the coveted spot where cowboys
qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December.

He knew he’d drawn a good
horse with the Beutler and Son Rodeo Co. horse Pebbles, a fourteen-year-old
mare.

“That horse has been
consistent,” he said. It was “a good chance to place at one of Bennie
(Beutler’s) rodeos. The mare “stands good (in the chutes), leaves good, and
jumps and kicks down the pen.”

Aus’ year has been “a
little hit or miss,” he said. But he’s grateful for what he has. “I’ve been
healthy, I’ve been riding well, and I’m waiting to draw the right horses.
Hopefully they’re all coming over the big Fourth of July run.”

He put on plenty of miles
hitting rodeos this weekend. He drove from home to Denver, so he could fly to
Fallon, Nev., and ride there. Then he flew back to Denver, drove to North
Platte, then drove to Bellevue, Iowa, on to Newtown, N.D., and on home. It’s
not an atypical travel schedule, but “we try to schedule them a little closer
than fourteen hours apart,” he quipped.

Aus has competed at the
Wrangler NFR seven times.

A win at the Buffalo Bill Rodeo is another stepping
stone in an unusual year for barrel racer Summer Kosel.

The Glenham, S.D. cowgirl bested the field with a
time of 17.47 seconds.

The wife and mother of four grew up in a family
that raised race horses. She’s ridden and barrel raced since she was a kid, but
it’s always been close to home.

When her nine-year-old chestnut gelding named
Apollo came along, the superstar horse changed her life.

Because of his exceptional talent, grit and
personality, Kosel is rodeoing nationwide this year, with the goal of making
the Wrangler NFR.

The horse, whose registered name is Firewater
French Fame, has his share of quirks, Kosel said. “He is very easy going, very
well mannered, but he has to have a buddy (horse.) He cannot be tied to the
trailer by himself or he will wreck the trailer and himself. He hates being
stalled, so he gets kicked out (to the pasture) with the other horses. There is
no special treatment for Apollo, and he likes it that way."

Trying to qualify for the Wrangler NFR means lots
of driving, long hours, truck stop meals, being away from home, and rodeoing in
new places, but Kosel is handling it.

“It’s an emotional roller coaster, and trying to
balance everything is probably more difficult than any of it,” she said.

Part of the balancing act for Kosel is her kids.
This weekend, her oldest daughter, Hope, competed at the S.D. State High School
Finals Rodeo and Kosel missed seeing her compete on Saturday.

“Horses like him don’t just pop up every day, and
God gave him to me, so I’ll give it a real go this year.”

Kosel is ranked thirteenth in the world standings.

Other champions at the 2023 Buffalo Bill Rodeo are
steer wrestler Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La. (9.0 seconds on 2 head);
tie-down roper Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M. 15.4 seconds on 2 head); breakaway
roper Jessica McMasters, Madison, Kan. (2.7 seconds); team ropers Clay Holz,
Pueblo, Colo. and Matt Zancanella, Aurora, S.D. (5.1 seconds); saddle bronc
rider Jacob Benham, Dodge City, Kan. (87); and bull rider Clayton Applehans,
Colby, Kan. (84 points.)

During the rodeo, the 2023 Trail Boss Award was
awarded to Marty and Cindy Petersen. The couple has been involved with the
Buffalo Bill Rodeo since the 1990s. Marty was president of the Nebraskaland
Days board from 1994-1995, then became a rodeo committee member. Cindy has been
chair of the Miss Rodeo Nebraska pageant for the last twenty years and served as
a national director for the Miss Rodeo America pageant from 2013-2017. Marty
will retire from the rodeo committee after tonight’s rodeo. The couple lived in
North Platte before moving to Cotesfield, Neb.

NebraskalandDays
activities continue next week with a junior rodeo, a prime rib feed,
competitive art show, beer garden and food court, and concerts by Cody Johnson
with special guests Morgan Wade and Randall King on June 23 and Jason Aldean
with special guests Lainey Wilson and Conner Smith on June 24.

For more information,
visit the website at NebraskalandDays.com

Results, North Platte,
Nebraska – Buffalo Bill Rodeo June 14-17, 2023&nbsp;&nbsp;

All-around champion: Austin Hurlburt, Norfolk,
Neb.

<a></a><a></a>Bareback riding – 2023 champion: Tanner
Aus, Granite Falls, Minn.

1. Tanner Aus, Granite
Falls, Minn. 81 points on 623 Nutrena’s Pebbles; 2. Andy Gingerich, Aberdeen,
S.D. 79; 3. Spencer DeNaeyer, Seneca, Neb. 76.5; 4. (tie) Ty Breuer, Mandan,
N.D. and Tanner Fine, Pomona, Kan. 73 each; 6.(tie) Grant Worthington, Marshall,
Mo. and Clay Jorgenson, Watford City, N.D. 71 each.

<a>Steer wrestling – 2023
champion: Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La. </a>

1. Trell Etbauer,
Goodwell, Okla. 3.7 seconds; 2. Sam Goings, Fallon, Nev. 3.8; 3. Jacob Talley,
Keatchie, La. 4.1; 4. (tie) Logan Mullin, Clay Center, Kan. and Joe Wilson,
Martin, S.D. 4.3 each; 6. Joe Nelson, Watford City, N.D. 4.5.

1. Tanner Brunner,
Ramona, Kan. 3.8 seconds; 2. (tie) Gage Hesse, Keenesburg, Colo., Tyler
Waguespack, Gonzales, La., and Jeremy Burkhalter, Humble, Texas 4.4 each; 5.
Tyler Scheevel, Lester Prairie, Minn. 4.7; 6. (tie) Cyler Dowling, Newell, S.D.
and Cameron Morman, Glen Ullin, N.D. 4.9 each.

1. Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La. 9.0 seconds on 2
head; 2. (tie) Cyler Dowling, Newell, S.D. and Travis Munro, Townsville,
Australia 10.1 each; 4. Trell Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla. 10.4; 5. Cameron Morman,
Glen Ullin, N.D. 10.6; 6. Sam Goings, Fallon, Nev. 10.7.

Tie-down roping – 2023 champion: Shad Mayfield,
Clovis, N.M.

1. Shad Mayfield, Clovis,
N.M. 7.6 seconds; 2. Riley Webb, Denton, Texas 7.9; 3. Taylor Santos, Creston,
Calif. 8.4; 4. Lane Livingston, Seymour, Texas 8.5; 5. (tie) Grant Turek, St.
Paul, Neb. and Austin Hurlburt, Norfolk, Neb. 8.9 each; 7. Ty Moser, Volga,
S.D. 9.4; 8. Ryan Thibodeaux, Stephenville, Texas 9.5.

1. (tie) Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M. and Cash
Fuesz, Eureka, Kan. 7.8 seconds each; 3. Cash Hooper,
Carlsbad, N.M. 7.9; 4. (tie) Marcos Costa, Iretama, Brazil and Nolan Richie,
Bristol, S.D. 8.2 each; 6. JT Adamson, Cody, Ne. 8.4; 7.(tie) Taylor Santos,
Creston, Calif., Riley Webb, Denton, Texas, and Riley Wakefield, O’Neill, Neb.
8.8 each.

1. Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M. 15.4 seconds on 2
head; 2. Riley Webb, Denton, Texas 16.7; 3. Taylor Santos, Creston, Calif.
17.2; 4. Lane Livingston, Seymour, Texas 17.7; 5. JT Adamson, Cody, Neb. 18.2;
6. Austin Hurlburt, Norfolk, Neb. 18.5; 7. Cash Hooper, Carlsbad, N.M. 18.6; 8.
Michael Otero, Lowndesboro, Ala. 18.7.

<a></a><a></a>Saddle bronc riding – 2023
champion:&nbsp; Jacob Benham, Dodge City, Kan.

<a></a><a></a>1. Jacob Benham,
Dodge City, Kan. 87 points on 615 Rage; 2. Lefty Holman, Visalia, Calif. 86; 3. Wade Sundell, Boxholm,
Iowa 85.5; 4. Statler Wright, Beaver, Utah and Brady Hill, Onida, S.D. 85 each;
6. Jake Finlay, Goondiwindi, Australia 81.5; 7. Garrett Long, Valentine, Neb.
80.5; 8. (tie) Cable Wareham, Whiting, Kan. and Garrett Uptain, Craig, Colo.
77.5 each.

<a>Breakaway
Roping -2023 champion: Jessica McMaster, Madison, Kan. </a>

1. Jessica McMaster,
Madison, Kan. 2.7 seconds; 2. Chenoa Vandestouwe, Weatherford, Okla. 2.9
seconds; 3. Tanegai Zilverberg, Holabird, S.D. 3.0; 4. (tie) Katie Dent,
Mullen, Neb., Emma Charleston, Reeds, Mo., Sami McGuire, Hoven, S.D. and Shai
Schaefer, Lake Creek, Texas 3.3 each; 8. (tie) Sawyer Gilbert, Buffalo, S.D.,
Jade Kenney, Canyon, Texas, Kelsie Domer, Dublin, Texas and Jacey Milligan,
Torrington, Wyo. 3.4 each.

Team roping – 2023 champions:
Clay Holz, Pueblo, Colo. and Matt Zancanella, Aurora, S.D.

1. Clay Holz, Pueblo,
Colo./Matt Zancanella, Aurora, S.D. 5.1 seconds; 2. JC Yeahquo, Mandaree,
N.D./LJ Yeahquo, Mandaree, N.D. 5.2 seconds; 3. (tie) Jake Orman, Prairie,
Miss./Corey Hendrick, Bedias, Texas and Clay Ullery, Valleyview, Alb./Jake
Edwards, Ft. Ann, N.Y. 5.3 seconds each; 5. Erich Rogers, Round Rock,
Ariz./Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Mo. 5.7; 6. (tie) Kreece Thompson, Munday,
Texas/Landen Glenn, McAlester, Okla.; Jade Schmidt, Rapid City, S.D./Conner
Herren, Crooks, S.D. and Andrew Ward, Edmond, Okla./Buddy Hawkins II,
Stephenville, Texas, 5.8 each; 9. Nick Becker, Garden City, Kan./Kingston
Chang, Dodge City, Kan. 6.1; 10. Jase Staudt, Saguache, Colo./Jhett Trenary,
Salida, Colo. 6.4.

Barrel racing – 2023
champion: Summer Kosel, Glenham, S.D.

1. Summer Kosel, Glenham,
S.D. 17.47 seconds; 2. (tie) Wenda Johnson, Pawhuska, Okla., Dee Ratliff, Cross
Plains, Texas and Emily Beisel, Weatherford, Okla. 17.56; each; 5. Paige Jones,
Wayne, Okla. 17.61; 6. Ivy Hurst, Springer, Okla. 17.74; 7. (tie) Lisa
Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D. and Ivy Saebens, Nowata, Okla. 17.75 each; 9. Erin
Wetzel, Plant City, Fla. 17.77 seconds; 10. (tie) Suzanne Brooks, Seminole,
Okla. and Peyton Stepanoff, Sarasota, Fla. 17.78 each; 12. Jessica Routier,
Buffalo, S.D. 17.81.

<a>Bull
riding – 2023 champion: Clayton Applehans, Colby, Kan. </a>

1. Clayton Applehans, Colby, Kan. 84 points on
Record Rack’s Overpass; 2. Jeff Bertus, Avon, S.D. 72; no other qualified
rides.

Story by Buffalo Bill Rodeo CommunicationsNORTH PLATTE, Neb - With his win at the
Buffalo Bill Rodeo in North Platte, bareback rider Tanner Aus got a shot in the
arm.The Granite Falls, Minn.
cowboy won first place and $2405 in his event, with his score of 82 points.It’s enough to keep him
in the top fifteen in the PRCA world standings, the coveted spot where cowboys
qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December.He knew he’d drawn a good
horse with the Beutler and Son Rodeo Co. horse Pebbles, a fourteen-year-old
mare.“That horse has been
consistent,” he said. It was “a good chance to place at one of Bennie
(Beutler’s) rodeos. The mare “stands good (in the chutes), leaves good, and
jumps and kicks down the pen.”Aus’ year has been “a
little hit or miss,” he said. But he’s grateful for what he has. “I’ve been
healthy, I’ve been riding well, and I’m waiting to draw the right horses.
Hopefully they’re all coming over the big Fourth of July run.”He put on plenty of miles
hitting rodeos this weekend. He drove from home to Denver, so he could fly to
Fallon, Nev., and ride there. Then he flew back to Denver, drove to North
Platte, then drove to Bellevue, Iowa, on to Newtown, N.D., and on home. It’s
not an atypical travel schedule, but “we try to schedule them a little closer
than fourteen hours apart,” he quipped.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687065435566.jpeg" alt="Minnesotan Tanner Aus is the 2023 Buffalo Bill Rodeo bareback riding champion. Photo by Don Christner. " />
 <figcaption>Minnesotan Tanner Aus is the 2023 Buffalo Bill Rodeo bareback riding champion. Photo by Don Christner. </figcaption>
 </figure>Aus has competed at the
Wrangler NFR seven times.A win at the Buffalo Bill Rodeo is another stepping
stone in an unusual year for barrel racer Summer Kosel.The Glenham, S.D. cowgirl bested the field with a
time of 17.47 seconds.The wife and mother of four grew up in a family
that raised race horses. She’s ridden and barrel raced since she was a kid, but
it’s always been close to home.When her nine-year-old chestnut gelding named
Apollo came along, the superstar horse changed her life.Because of his exceptional talent, grit and
personality, Kosel is rodeoing nationwide this year, with the goal of making
the Wrangler NFR.The horse, whose registered name is Firewater
French Fame, has his share of quirks, Kosel said. “He is very easy going, very
well mannered, but he has to have a buddy (horse.) He cannot be tied to the
trailer by himself or he will wreck the trailer and himself. He hates being
stalled, so he gets kicked out (to the pasture) with the other horses. There is
no special treatment for Apollo, and he likes it that way."Trying to qualify for the Wrangler NFR means lots
of driving, long hours, truck stop meals, being away from home, and rodeoing in
new places, but Kosel is handling it.“It’s an emotional roller coaster, and trying to
balance everything is probably more difficult than any of it,” she said.Part of the balancing act for Kosel is her kids.
This weekend, her oldest daughter, Hope, competed at the S.D. State High School
Finals Rodeo and Kosel missed seeing her compete on Saturday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687065460351.jpeg" alt="Summer Kosel bested the field of barrel racers and won with a time of 17.47 seconds. Photo by Don Christner. " />
 <figcaption>Summer Kosel bested the field of barrel racers and won with a time of 17.47 seconds. Photo by Don Christner. </figcaption>
 </figure>But she’s willing to juggle it all.“Horses like him don’t just pop up every day, and
God gave him to me, so I’ll give it a real go this year.”Kosel is ranked thirteenth in the world standings.Other champions at the 2023 Buffalo Bill Rodeo are
steer wrestler Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La. (9.0 seconds on 2 head);
tie-down roper Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M. 15.4 seconds on 2 head); breakaway
roper Jessica McMasters, Madison, Kan. (2.7 seconds); team ropers Clay Holz,
Pueblo, Colo. and Matt Zancanella, Aurora, S.D. (5.1 seconds); saddle bronc
rider Jacob Benham, Dodge City, Kan. (87); and bull rider Clayton Applehans,
Colby, Kan. (84 points.)During the rodeo, the 2023 Trail Boss Award was
awarded to Marty and Cindy Petersen. The couple has been involved with the
Buffalo Bill Rodeo since the 1990s. Marty was president of the Nebraskaland
Days board from 1994-1995, then became a rodeo committee member. Cindy has been
chair of the Miss Rodeo Nebraska pageant for the last twenty years and served as
a national director for the Miss Rodeo America pageant from 2013-2017. Marty
will retire from the rodeo committee after tonight’s rodeo. The couple lived in
North Platte before moving to Cotesfield, Neb.NebraskalandDays
activities continue next week with a junior rodeo, a prime rib feed,
competitive art show, beer garden and food court, and concerts by Cody Johnson
with special guests Morgan Wade and Randall King on June 23 and Jason Aldean
with special guests Lainey Wilson and Conner Smith on June 24.For more information,
visit the website at NebraskalandDays.com- ### -Results, North Platte,
Nebraska – Buffalo Bill Rodeo June 14-17, 2023&nbsp;&nbsp;All-around champion: Austin Hurlburt, Norfolk,
Neb.<a></a><a></a>Bareback riding – 2023 champion: Tanner
Aus, Granite Falls, Minn. 1. Tanner Aus, Granite
Falls, Minn. 81 points on 623 Nutrena’s Pebbles; 2. Andy Gingerich, Aberdeen,
S.D. 79; 3. Spencer DeNaeyer, Seneca, Neb. 76.5; 4. (tie) Ty Breuer, Mandan,
N.D. and Tanner Fine, Pomona, Kan. 73 each; 6.(tie) Grant Worthington, Marshall,
Mo. and Clay Jorgenson, Watford City, N.D. 71 each.<a>Steer wrestling – 2023
champion: Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La. </a><a>1st
round results</a>1. Trell Etbauer,
Goodwell, Okla. 3.7 seconds; 2. Sam Goings, Fallon, Nev. 3.8; 3. Jacob Talley,
Keatchie, La. 4.1; 4. (tie) Logan Mullin, Clay Center, Kan. and Joe Wilson,
Martin, S.D. 4.3 each; 6. Joe Nelson, Watford City, N.D. 4.5.2nd round
results1. Tanner Brunner,
Ramona, Kan. 3.8 seconds; 2. (tie) Gage Hesse, Keenesburg, Colo., Tyler
Waguespack, Gonzales, La., and Jeremy Burkhalter, Humble, Texas 4.4 each; 5.
Tyler Scheevel, Lester Prairie, Minn. 4.7; 6. (tie) Cyler Dowling, Newell, S.D.
and Cameron Morman, Glen Ullin, N.D. 4.9 each.Average: 1. Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La. 9.0 seconds on 2
head; 2. (tie) Cyler Dowling, Newell, S.D. and Travis Munro, Townsville,
Australia 10.1 each; 4. Trell Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla. 10.4; 5. Cameron Morman,
Glen Ullin, N.D. 10.6; 6. Sam Goings, Fallon, Nev. 10.7.Tie-down roping – 2023 champion: Shad Mayfield,
Clovis, N.M. 1st round results 1. Shad Mayfield, Clovis,
N.M. 7.6 seconds; 2. Riley Webb, Denton, Texas 7.9; 3. Taylor Santos, Creston,
Calif. 8.4; 4. Lane Livingston, Seymour, Texas 8.5; 5. (tie) Grant Turek, St.
Paul, Neb. and Austin Hurlburt, Norfolk, Neb. 8.9 each; 7. Ty Moser, Volga,
S.D. 9.4; 8. Ryan Thibodeaux, Stephenville, Texas 9.5.2nd round results 1. (tie) Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M. and Cash
Fuesz, Eureka, Kan. 7.8 seconds each; 3. Cash Hooper,
Carlsbad, N.M. 7.9; 4. (tie) Marcos Costa, Iretama, Brazil and Nolan Richie,
Bristol, S.D. 8.2 each; 6. JT Adamson, Cody, Ne. 8.4; 7.(tie) Taylor Santos,
Creston, Calif., Riley Webb, Denton, Texas, and Riley Wakefield, O’Neill, Neb.
8.8 each.Average 1. Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M. 15.4 seconds on 2
head; 2. Riley Webb, Denton, Texas 16.7; 3. Taylor Santos, Creston, Calif.
17.2; 4. Lane Livingston, Seymour, Texas 17.7; 5. JT Adamson, Cody, Neb. 18.2;
6. Austin Hurlburt, Norfolk, Neb. 18.5; 7. Cash Hooper, Carlsbad, N.M. 18.6; 8.
Michael Otero, Lowndesboro, Ala. 18.7.<a></a><a></a>Saddle bronc riding – 2023
champion:&nbsp; Jacob Benham, Dodge City, Kan. <a></a><a></a>1. Jacob Benham,
Dodge City, Kan. 87 points on 615 Rage; 2. Lefty Holman, Visalia, Calif. 86; 3. Wade Sundell, Boxholm,
Iowa 85.5; 4. Statler Wright, Beaver, Utah and Brady Hill, Onida, S.D. 85 each;
6. Jake Finlay, Goondiwindi, Australia 81.5; 7. Garrett Long, Valentine, Neb.
80.5; 8. (tie) Cable Wareham, Whiting, Kan. and Garrett Uptain, Craig, Colo.
77.5 each.<a>Breakaway
Roping -2023 champion: Jessica McMaster, Madison, Kan. </a>1. Jessica McMaster,
Madison, Kan. 2.7 seconds; 2. Chenoa Vandestouwe, Weatherford, Okla. 2.9
seconds; 3. Tanegai Zilverberg, Holabird, S.D. 3.0; 4. (tie) Katie Dent,
Mullen, Neb., Emma Charleston, Reeds, Mo., Sami McGuire, Hoven, S.D. and Shai
Schaefer, Lake Creek, Texas 3.3 each; 8. (tie) Sawyer Gilbert, Buffalo, S.D.,
Jade Kenney, Canyon, Texas, Kelsie Domer, Dublin, Texas and Jacey Milligan,
Torrington, Wyo. 3.4 each.Team roping – 2023 champions:
Clay Holz, Pueblo, Colo. and Matt Zancanella, Aurora, S.D.1. Clay Holz, Pueblo,
Colo./Matt Zancanella, Aurora, S.D. 5.1 seconds; 2. JC Yeahquo, Mandaree,
N.D./LJ Yeahquo, Mandaree, N.D. 5.2 seconds; 3. (tie) Jake Orman, Prairie,
Miss./Corey Hendrick, Bedias, Texas and Clay Ullery, Valleyview, Alb./Jake
Edwards, Ft. Ann, N.Y. 5.3 seconds each; 5. Erich Rogers, Round Rock,
Ariz./Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Mo. 5.7; 6. (tie) Kreece Thompson, Munday,
Texas/Landen Glenn, McAlester, Okla.; Jade Schmidt, Rapid City, S.D./Conner
Herren, Crooks, S.D. and Andrew Ward, Edmond, Okla./Buddy Hawkins II,
Stephenville, Texas, 5.8 each; 9. Nick Becker, Garden City, Kan./Kingston
Chang, Dodge City, Kan. 6.1; 10. Jase Staudt, Saguache, Colo./Jhett Trenary,
Salida, Colo. 6.4.Barrel racing – 2023
champion: Summer Kosel, Glenham, S.D. 1. Summer Kosel, Glenham,
S.D. 17.47 seconds; 2. (tie) Wenda Johnson, Pawhuska, Okla., Dee Ratliff, Cross
Plains, Texas and Emily Beisel, Weatherford, Okla. 17.56; each; 5. Paige Jones,
Wayne, Okla. 17.61; 6. Ivy Hurst, Springer, Okla. 17.74; 7. (tie) Lisa
Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D. and Ivy Saebens, Nowata, Okla. 17.75 each; 9. Erin
Wetzel, Plant City, Fla. 17.77 seconds; 10. (tie) Suzanne Brooks, Seminole,
Okla. and Peyton Stepanoff, Sarasota, Fla. 17.78 each; 12. Jessica Routier,
Buffalo, S.D. 17.81.<a>Bull
riding – 2023 champion: Clayton Applehans, Colby, Kan. </a>1. Clayton Applehans, Colby, Kan. 84 points on
Record Rack’s Overpass; 2. Jeff Bertus, Avon, S.D. 72; no other qualified
rides.** All results are
unofficial.&nbsp;

Buffalo Bill Rodeo - Saturday Night Results

<a>North Platte, Neb. (June 16, 2023) – The spell over the&nbsp;</a>bull riding at the Buffalo Bill Rodeo was cast out on Friday night.

After two performances of no bull riders making a qualified ride, one bull rider made the eight-second buzzer on Friday night.

Jeff Bertus, Avon, S.D. bested the bull A67 Bracket Buster for 72 points, taking the lead in his event, and the solitary score after three nights of rodeo.

Bertus, age 31, had done a bit of research on the bull and knew he had to pay attention to the job at hand.

“I just try to keep it simple,” he said, “try to take care of business. All you can control is riding your bull. Focus on that, and the rest will take care of itself.”

He realizes there’s one more night of rodeo and he may not be in the lead after Saturday night, but he’s probably going to win a check.

Winning “definitely keeps you going. It gives you confidence going down the road.”

He and traveling partner Wade Berg, who bucked off his bull, are headed to Newtown, N.D. for a rodeo on Saturday. They’ll drive partway, and either get a hotel room or sleep a few hours in the van.

Bertus has won the Badlands Circuit year-end title four times and the Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo five times.

Tie-down roper Cash Fuesz nearly didn’t come to the Buffalo Bill Rodeo to compete on Friday, but he’s sure glad he did.

The Eureka, Kan. cowboy had a time of 7.8 seconds to tie for the lead with Shad Mayfield, in the second round.

He just returned from ten days in Israel visiting religious sites, and because of the trip, didn’t compete in the first round of roping.

A friend asked him to go along on the trip with twenty other college students, and Fuesz and his girlfriend enjoyed the trip.

“It was amazing,” he said. “It was incredible.”

While in Israel, Fuesz got a sinus infection but couldn’t get prescriptions for it.

“I got a sinus infection really bad about day six,” he said. “I wasn’t even sure I was going to be well enough to drive up here, so I’m happy I got to come up.”

His flight home arrived in Dallas yesterday, then he drove to pick up his horses from a friend’s house. This morning, he drove home to Eureka, got a doctor’s appointment, then made the rest of the trip to North Platte.

Because he didn’t have a time in the first round, due to not competing, he won’t win the average title (the fastest time on two runs), and isn’t eligible for the 2023 title. But the lead in the second round is good.

Fuesz wasn’t tired after competing, but he knows he will be.

“Right now I’m pretty good, but in about thirty minutes, I’ll be pretty tired,” he said. He’ll stay in North Platte tonight, then make his way to Greeley, Colo., to rope on June 20.

This was Fuesz’ first time to compete in North Platte. He is a student at Weatherford (Texas) College, majoring in ag economics.

Other fast times and high scores from the Friday evening performance include bareback rider Spencer Denaeyer, Seneca, Neb. (76.5 points);

Sailors from the USS Nebraska submarine were on hand to greet the crowd. The annual tradition of inviting members of the submarine, stationed on the West Coast, continues; they will stay for several days of NebraskalandDays activities.

The fourth and final night of the of action at the Buffalo Bill rodeo takes place Saturday, June 17 starting at 8 pm. NebraskalandDays activities continue through June 24. &nbsp;

<a>Results, 3rd&nbsp;performance, June 16, 2023</a>

North Platte, Nebraska – Buffalo Bill Rodeo

1. Spencer Denaeyer, Seneca, Neb. 76.5 points;

1. Tyler Scheevel, Lester Prairie, Minn. 4.7 seconds;

1. Lefty Holman, Visalia, Calif. 86 points on 35 Flying Solo;

1. Chenoa Vandestouwe, Weatherford, Okla. 2.9 seconds;

3. Cassidy Weber, Weatherford, Texas 5.7;

1. Jake Orman, Prairie, Miss./Corey Hendrick, Bedias, Texas 5.3 seconds;

2. Chad Masters, Cedar Hill, Tenn./Trey Yates, Pueblo, Colo. 11.4;

3. Blair Lammers, Hartford, S.D./Clayton Symons, Mitchelle, Neb. 12.5;

1. Emily Beisel, Weatherford, Okla. 17.56 seconds;

2. Ali Armstrong, Lexington, Okla. 17.99;

3. Emily Griffin, St. George, Kan. 18.11;

1. Jeff Bertus, Avon, S.D. 72 points on A67 Bracket Buster

<a>North Platte, Neb. (June 16, 2023) – The spell over the&nbsp;</a>bull riding at the Buffalo Bill Rodeo was cast out on Friday night.After two performances of no bull riders making a qualified ride, one bull rider made the eight-second buzzer on Friday night.Jeff Bertus, Avon, S.D. bested the bull A67 Bracket Buster for 72 points, taking the lead in his event, and the solitary score after three nights of rodeo.Bertus, age 31, had done a bit of research on the bull and knew he had to pay attention to the job at hand.“I just try to keep it simple,” he said, “try to take care of business. All you can control is riding your bull. Focus on that, and the rest will take care of itself.”He realizes there’s one more night of rodeo and he may not be in the lead after Saturday night, but he’s probably going to win a check.Winning “definitely keeps you going. It gives you confidence going down the road.”He and traveling partner Wade Berg, who bucked off his bull, are headed to Newtown, N.D. for a rodeo on Saturday. They’ll drive partway, and either get a hotel room or sleep a few hours in the van.Bertus has won the Badlands Circuit year-end title four times and the Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo five times.Tie-down roper Cash Fuesz nearly didn’t come to the Buffalo Bill Rodeo to compete on Friday, but he’s sure glad he did.The Eureka, Kan. cowboy had a time of 7.8 seconds to tie for the lead with Shad Mayfield, in the second round.He just returned from ten days in Israel visiting religious sites, and because of the trip, didn’t compete in the first round of roping.A friend asked him to go along on the trip with twenty other college students, and Fuesz and his girlfriend enjoyed the trip.“It was amazing,” he said. “It was incredible.”While in Israel, Fuesz got a sinus infection but couldn’t get prescriptions for it.“I got a sinus infection really bad about day six,” he said. “I wasn’t even sure I was going to be well enough to drive up here, so I’m happy I got to come up.”His flight home arrived in Dallas yesterday, then he drove to pick up his horses from a friend’s house. This morning, he drove home to Eureka, got a doctor’s appointment, then made the rest of the trip to North Platte.Because he didn’t have a time in the first round, due to not competing, he won’t win the average title (the fastest time on two runs), and isn’t eligible for the 2023 title. But the lead in the second round is good.Fuesz wasn’t tired after competing, but he knows he will be.“Right now I’m pretty good, but in about thirty minutes, I’ll be pretty tired,” he said. He’ll stay in North Platte tonight, then make his way to Greeley, Colo., to rope on June 20.This was Fuesz’ first time to compete in North Platte. He is a student at Weatherford (Texas) College, majoring in ag economics.Other fast times and high scores from the Friday evening performance include bareback rider Spencer Denaeyer, Seneca, Neb. (76.5 points);Sailors from the USS Nebraska submarine were on hand to greet the crowd. The annual tradition of inviting members of the submarine, stationed on the West Coast, continues; they will stay for several days of NebraskalandDays activities.The fourth and final night of the of action at the Buffalo Bill rodeo takes place Saturday, June 17 starting at 8 pm. NebraskalandDays activities continue through June 24. &nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687003376632.jpeg" alt="Jeff Bertus bull rider at Buffalo Bill Rodeo | photo by don christner" />
 <figcaption>Jeff Bertus bull rider at Buffalo Bill Rodeo | photo by don christner</figcaption>
 </figure><a>Results, 3rd&nbsp;performance, June 16, 2023</a>North Platte, Nebraska – Buffalo Bill RodeoBareback riding1. Spencer Denaeyer, Seneca, Neb. 76.5 points;No other qualified ridesSteer wrestling1. Tyler Scheevel, Lester Prairie, Minn. 4.7 seconds;2. Cyler Dowling, Newell, S.D. 4.9;3. Trisyn Kalawaia, Hilo, Hawaii 6.2;4. Reed Kraeger, Waco, Neb. 6.5Tie-down roping1. Cash Fuesz, Eureka, Kan. 7.8 seconds;2. Austin Hurlburt, Norfolk, Neb. 9.6;3. Hayden Ford, Whitehouse, Texas 12.1;4. Grant Turek, St. Paul, Neb. 12.5.Saddle bronc riding1. Lefty Holman, Visalia, Calif. 86 points on 35 Flying Solo;2. Garrett Uptain, Craig, Colo. 74.5;No other qualified rides.Breakaway roping1. Chenoa Vandestouwe, Weatherford, Okla. 2.9 seconds;2. Rickie Engesser, Spearfish, S.D. 3.9;3. Cassidy Weber, Weatherford, Texas 5.7;4. Laramie Bain, Overbrook, Okla. 6.2.Team roping1. Jake Orman, Prairie, Miss./Corey Hendrick, Bedias, Texas 5.3 seconds;2. Chad Masters, Cedar Hill, Tenn./Trey Yates, Pueblo, Colo. 11.4;3. Blair Lammers, Hartford, S.D./Clayton Symons, Mitchelle, Neb. 12.5;No other qualified runs.<a>Barrel racing</a>1. Emily Beisel, Weatherford, Okla. 17.56 seconds;2. Ali Armstrong, Lexington, Okla. 17.99;3. Emily Griffin, St. George, Kan. 18.11;4. Patty Finney, Ainsworth, Neb. 18.13.Bull riding1. Jeff Bertus, Avon, S.D. 72 points on A67 Bracket BusterNo other qualified rides.** All results are unofficial.&nbsp;

Friday Night Buffalo Bill Rodeo results

Story By NebraskaLand Day's Communication

North Platte, Neb. (June 15, 2023) –&nbsp;Tanner Brunner has overcome the odds this past spring, to continue rodeoing.

The Ramona, Kan. man is leading the second round of the steer wrestling at the Buffalo Bill Rodeo with a time of 3.8 seconds.

Three months ago, things weren’t going well.

His main horse had surgery, and he had a torn groin, which made rodeoing difficult.

Brunner planned surgery for Miss Kitty, his sixteen-year-old sorrel mare, after he competed at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December. The mare had knee chips in two knees, and rehab required five to six months off.

While he waited on the mare’s recovery, he bounced around, riding borrowed horses, but couldn’t hit his groove with any of them.

Then, while practicing in March, he tore a part of his groin muscle off the femur bone. It required intense rehab, but six weeks later, he was back to steer wrestling.

Last weekend was the first weekend the mare was back to competition, and the lead in North Platte is a good thing.

He’s struggled to be in tune with the mare since she’s back from rehab, even though she’s done well.

“It’s like she never left” competition, he said. “She’s doing her job. I just need to start doing mine.”

Miss Kitty got Brunner to his first Wrangler NFR in 2018. He had spent that year traveling with Nebraska native and veteran steer wrestler Sean Mulligan, who owned the mare. “I rodeoed with those guys (including Mulligan’s traveling partners), and they taught me a lot. They helped me get to the Finals.”

The next year, Brunner bought the mare from Mulligan, and Miss Kitty has carried Brunner to three more Wrangler NFRs (2019-2020, 2022).

Mulligan, a former Wrangler NFR qualifier, mentors steer wrestlers and trains steer wrestling horses. He grew up in Valentine but now lives in Oklahoma. He’s generous with his time and knowledge.

Mulligan “has helped a lot of people out,” Brunner said. “He’s very generous, he loves helping people and loves the sport of rodeo and bulldogging.”

Because of his horse problems and injury this past year, Brunner isn’t ranked in the top fifty in the PRCA world standings, where a cowboy needs to be, as the summer season kicks off.

He has a plan for the summer: rodeo till mid-July and then see where he is in the standings.

The measuring stick? Being in the top thirty in the world by mid-July. “I don’t even think I’m in the top 75 right now. But there’s a lot of money to be won, between now and then. You’ve got to bet on yourself and not count yourself out.”

Other fast times after the day’s slack and the evening’s competition include bareback rider Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn. (81 points); tie-down roper Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M. (7.8 seconds); saddle bronc rider Jake Finlay, Goondiwindi, Australia (81.5); breakaway roper Jessica McMaster, Madison, Kan. (2.7 seconds); team ropers JC Yeahquo and LJ Yeahquo, both of Mandaree, N.D. (5.2 seconds); and barrel racer Ivy Hurst, Springer, Okla. (17.74 seconds).&nbsp; For the second night in a row, no bull riders made a qualified ride.

The third night of action at&nbsp;the Buffalo Bill rodeo takes place Friday, June 16 starting at 8 pm. The rodeo can be found on the Cowboy Channel app and on local radio station KODY 1240 AM.

Story By NebraskaLand Day's CommunicationNorth Platte, Neb. (June 15, 2023) –&nbsp;Tanner Brunner has overcome the odds this past spring, to continue rodeoing.The Ramona, Kan. man is leading the second round of the steer wrestling at the Buffalo Bill Rodeo with a time of 3.8 seconds.Three months ago, things weren’t going well.His main horse had surgery, and he had a torn groin, which made rodeoing difficult.Brunner planned surgery for Miss Kitty, his sixteen-year-old sorrel mare, after he competed at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December. The mare had knee chips in two knees, and rehab required five to six months off.While he waited on the mare’s recovery, he bounced around, riding borrowed horses, but couldn’t hit his groove with any of them.Then, while practicing in March, he tore a part of his groin muscle off the femur bone. It required intense rehab, but six weeks later, he was back to steer wrestling.Last weekend was the first weekend the mare was back to competition, and the lead in North Platte is a good thing.He’s struggled to be in tune with the mare since she’s back from rehab, even though she’s done well.“It’s like she never left” competition, he said. “She’s doing her job. I just need to start doing mine.”Miss Kitty got Brunner to his first Wrangler NFR in 2018. He had spent that year traveling with Nebraska native and veteran steer wrestler Sean Mulligan, who owned the mare. “I rodeoed with those guys (including Mulligan’s traveling partners), and they taught me a lot. They helped me get to the Finals.”The next year, Brunner bought the mare from Mulligan, and Miss Kitty has carried Brunner to three more Wrangler NFRs (2019-2020, 2022).Mulligan, a former Wrangler NFR qualifier, mentors steer wrestlers and trains steer wrestling horses. He grew up in Valentine but now lives in Oklahoma. He’s generous with his time and knowledge.Mulligan “has helped a lot of people out,” Brunner said. “He’s very generous, he loves helping people and loves the sport of rodeo and bulldogging.”Because of his horse problems and injury this past year, Brunner isn’t ranked in the top fifty in the PRCA world standings, where a cowboy needs to be, as the summer season kicks off.He has a plan for the summer: rodeo till mid-July and then see where he is in the standings.The measuring stick? Being in the top thirty in the world by mid-July. “I don’t even think I’m in the top 75 right now. But there’s a lot of money to be won, between now and then. You’ve got to bet on yourself and not count yourself out.”Other fast times after the day’s slack and the evening’s competition include bareback rider Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn. (81 points); tie-down roper Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M. (7.8 seconds); saddle bronc rider Jake Finlay, Goondiwindi, Australia (81.5); breakaway roper Jessica McMaster, Madison, Kan. (2.7 seconds); team ropers JC Yeahquo and LJ Yeahquo, both of Mandaree, N.D. (5.2 seconds); and barrel racer Ivy Hurst, Springer, Okla. (17.74 seconds).&nbsp; For the second night in a row, no bull riders made a qualified ride.The third night of action at&nbsp;the Buffalo Bill rodeo takes place Friday, June 16 starting at 8 pm. The rodeo can be found on the Cowboy Channel app and on local radio station KODY 1240 AM.

OVERCOMING ODDS

Liz, Faith and Chuck Heeman join North Platte Sports Director Paxton Gordon to talk about what goes on behind the scenes of a baseball operation and what goes into game day prep.

<div><iframe title="North Platte Plainsmen behind the scenes" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=3xrj6-14347f5-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=1&fonts=Times%20New%20Roman&skin=1b1b1b&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00"></iframe></div>Liz, Faith and Chuck Heeman join North Platte Sports Director Paxton Gordon to talk about what goes on behind the scenes of a baseball operation and what goes into game day prep.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655146989142.png" alt="<a href="http://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored by North Platte Kubota</a> " />
 <figcaption><a href="http://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored by North Platte Kubota</a> </figcaption>
 </figure>

North Platte Plainsmen behind the scenes

Story by&nbsp; Buffalo Bill Rodeo Communication

She’s a competitor, a cowgirl, a rancher, a former college basketball player, a mom, and a professional breakaway roper.

And she’s tied for the lead in the breakaway at what she considers her hometown rodeo, the Buffalo Bill Rodeo.

Katie Dent, of Mullen, had a time of 3.3 seconds to take the lead, alongside Emma Charleston, Reed, Mo., after the first night of rodeo June 14.

She’s competed at the Buffalo Bill Rodeo every year since 2020, when the event was added to the historic rodeo, and she’s won money two out of those three years.

She credits her lead to her horsepower, a horse purchased from Zoe Ann Huffman of Whitman, Neb.

Squirrelly, as she calls the eight-year-old mare, is small, but mighty.

“She’s just a really cool little cutting-bred mare that’s really catty. She’s so broke, I just have to not mess up, is what it amounts to.” The mare had been ridden for the cutting when she was younger, but when Dent purchased her three years ago, she roped calves and ranched on her.

Squirrelly is not only a good performance horse, but she’s good with kids.

“Being a mom (Dent has a nine-year-old daughter and a seven-year-old son), having a safe horse is really important to me, because the kids are around all the time. The other day, I put my daughter on her to move (cow/calf) pairs three miles.”

“It just feels good, this close to home. I have a lot of family and friends here. It’s just a fun rodeo. I like this rodeo.”

The tie-down roping champion at the Buffalo Bill Rodeo could be a repeat.

The 2022 tie-down roping champ, Shad Mayfield, won the first round in North Platte on Wednesday.

The Clovis, N.M. cowboy’s time of 7.6 seconds bested the field by three-tenths of a second over the number two man, Riley Webb. &nbsp;

The 2020 world champion loves coming to North Platte, having competed there three times.

“The calves here are really good,” he said. “Every time I’ve come, I’ve had good chances, because of good calves.”

Mayfield was aboard a new horse, a thirteen-year-old bay mare he purchased in April. The mare named Lollipop was reserve AQHA/PRCA Tie-Down Horse of the Year in 2020; Mayfield purchased her from Andrew Burks.

“When I first got her, we weren’t really clicking a whole lot,” he said. “As we kept going, we started to click.”

Mayfield makes his second run Thursday night and then goes on to compete in Greeley, Colo. June 20, so he has some days off.

“I don’t try to wear myself out” competing, he said. “I’ve always been told, enter where you can win at, don’t enter everywhere. I try to take it easy on myself. After we rope at North Platte, we have three days off till Greeley, then we’ll go hard for a little bit. We’re trying to save ourselves and our horses as best as we can.”

Mayfield is currently ranked fourth in the PRCA world standings.

JoSee Saults was crowned the 2024 Miss Rodeo Nebraska during the rodeo on Wednesday night.

The Big Springs cowgirl, a recent graduate of the University of Wyoming, is the 22-year-old daughter of Scott and Jill Saults. She competed in junior high and high school rodeo, and while in college at Eastern Wyoming College, was on the rodeo team, serving as team president. She has a degree in communications and a minor in sociology and will attend law school after serving as the state’s pro rodeo representative next year.

The 2023 Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska was crowned earlier in the day. The title went to Maci Cox, the 17-year-old daughter of Josh and Jennifer Cox of North Platte.

Other leaders after the day’s slack and the evening’s competition include bareback rider Andy Gingerich, Aberdeen, S.D. (79 points); steer wrestler Trell Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla. (3.7 seconds); saddle bronc rider Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa (85.5 points); team ropers Clay Holz, Pueblo, Colo. and Matt Zancanella, Aurora, S.D. (5.1 seconds); and barrel racer Summer Kosel, Glenham, S.D. (17.47 seconds). No bull rider made an eight second ride.

The Buffalo Bill Rodeo continues on Thursday, June 15 at 8 pm. Tickets range in price from $11 to $24 and are available online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nebraskalanddays.com/" target="_blank">www.NebraskalandDays.com</a>&nbsp;and at the gate.

Results, 1st&nbsp;Performance and slack, June 14, 2023

1. Andy Gingerich, Aberdeen, S.D. 79 points on 711 Shooting Dice;

2. Grant Worthington, Marshall, Mo. 71 points; no other qualified rides.

1. Trell Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla. 3.7 seconds;

4. (tie) Logan Mullin, Clay Center, Kan. and Joe Wilson, Martin, S.D. 4.3 each.

1. Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M. 7.6 seconds

1. Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa 85.5 points on -259 State Side;

1. (tie) Katie Dent, Mullen, Neb. and Emma Charleston, Reeds, Mo. 3.3 seconds each;

4. (tie) Mable McAbee, Ansley, Neb. and Brenda White, Oelrichs, S.D. 3.6 each.

1. Clay Holz, Pueblo, Colo./Matt Zancanella, Aurora, S.D. 5.1 seconds;

2. Andrew Ward, Edmond, Okla./Buddy Hawkins II, Stephenville, Texas 5.8;

3. Jase Staudt, Saguache, Colo./Jhett Trenary, Salida, Colo. 6.4;

4. Braden Pirrung, Hartford, S.D./Jade Nelson, Midland, S.D. 7.6;

1. Summer Kosel, Glenham, S.D. 17.47 seconds;

Story by&nbsp; Buffalo Bill Rodeo CommunicationShe’s a competitor, a cowgirl, a rancher, a former college basketball player, a mom, and a professional breakaway roper.And she’s tied for the lead in the breakaway at what she considers her hometown rodeo, the Buffalo Bill Rodeo.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686828322840.jpeg" alt="Katie Dent, Mullen, Neb. leads the breakaway roping after the first night of the Buffalo Bill Rodeo. Photo by Don Christner. " />
 <figcaption>Katie Dent, Mullen, Neb. leads the breakaway roping after the first night of the Buffalo Bill Rodeo. Photo by Don Christner. </figcaption>
 </figure>Katie Dent, of Mullen, had a time of 3.3 seconds to take the lead, alongside Emma Charleston, Reed, Mo., after the first night of rodeo June 14.She’s competed at the Buffalo Bill Rodeo every year since 2020, when the event was added to the historic rodeo, and she’s won money two out of those three years.She credits her lead to her horsepower, a horse purchased from Zoe Ann Huffman of Whitman, Neb.Squirrelly, as she calls the eight-year-old mare, is small, but mighty.“She’s just a really cool little cutting-bred mare that’s really catty. She’s so broke, I just have to not mess up, is what it amounts to.” The mare had been ridden for the cutting when she was younger, but when Dent purchased her three years ago, she roped calves and ranched on her.Squirrelly is not only a good performance horse, but she’s good with kids.“Being a mom (Dent has a nine-year-old daughter and a seven-year-old son), having a safe horse is really important to me, because the kids are around all the time. The other day, I put my daughter on her to move (cow/calf) pairs three miles.”Dent loves coming to North Platte.“It just feels good, this close to home. I have a lot of family and friends here. It’s just a fun rodeo. I like this rodeo.”The tie-down roping champion at the Buffalo Bill Rodeo could be a repeat.The 2022 tie-down roping champ, Shad Mayfield, won the first round in North Platte on Wednesday.The Clovis, N.M. cowboy’s time of 7.6 seconds bested the field by three-tenths of a second over the number two man, Riley Webb. &nbsp;The 2020 world champion loves coming to North Platte, having competed there three times.“The calves here are really good,” he said. “Every time I’ve come, I’ve had good chances, because of good calves.”Mayfield was aboard a new horse, a thirteen-year-old bay mare he purchased in April. The mare named Lollipop was reserve AQHA/PRCA Tie-Down Horse of the Year in 2020; Mayfield purchased her from Andrew Burks.“When I first got her, we weren’t really clicking a whole lot,” he said. “As we kept going, we started to click.”Mayfield makes his second run Thursday night and then goes on to compete in Greeley, Colo. June 20, so he has some days off.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686828365804.jpeg" alt="Tie-down roper Shad Mayfield won the first round of the tie-down roping at the Buffalo Bill Rodeo. The 2020 world champion is also the 2022 Buffalo Bill Rodeo champ. Photo by Don Christner." />
 <figcaption>Tie-down roper Shad Mayfield won the first round of the tie-down roping at the Buffalo Bill Rodeo. The 2020 world champion is also the 2022 Buffalo Bill Rodeo champ. Photo by Don Christner.</figcaption>
 </figure>“I don’t try to wear myself out” competing, he said. “I’ve always been told, enter where you can win at, don’t enter everywhere. I try to take it easy on myself. After we rope at North Platte, we have three days off till Greeley, then we’ll go hard for a little bit. We’re trying to save ourselves and our horses as best as we can.”Mayfield is currently ranked fourth in the PRCA world standings.JoSee Saults was crowned the 2024 Miss Rodeo Nebraska during the rodeo on Wednesday night.The Big Springs cowgirl, a recent graduate of the University of Wyoming, is the 22-year-old daughter of Scott and Jill Saults. She competed in junior high and high school rodeo, and while in college at Eastern Wyoming College, was on the rodeo team, serving as team president. She has a degree in communications and a minor in sociology and will attend law school after serving as the state’s pro rodeo representative next year.The 2023 Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska was crowned earlier in the day. The title went to Maci Cox, the 17-year-old daughter of Josh and Jennifer Cox of North Platte.Other leaders after the day’s slack and the evening’s competition include bareback rider Andy Gingerich, Aberdeen, S.D. (79 points); steer wrestler Trell Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla. (3.7 seconds); saddle bronc rider Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa (85.5 points); team ropers Clay Holz, Pueblo, Colo. and Matt Zancanella, Aurora, S.D. (5.1 seconds); and barrel racer Summer Kosel, Glenham, S.D. (17.47 seconds). No bull rider made an eight second ride.The Buffalo Bill Rodeo continues on Thursday, June 15 at 8 pm. Tickets range in price from $11 to $24 and are available online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nebraskalanddays.com/" target="_blank">www.NebraskalandDays.com</a>&nbsp;and at the gate.- ### -Results, 1st&nbsp;Performance and slack, June 14, 2023North Platte, Nebraska – Buffalo Bill RodeoBareback riding1. Andy Gingerich, Aberdeen, S.D. 79 points on 711 Shooting Dice;2. Grant Worthington, Marshall, Mo. 71 points; no other qualified rides.Steer wrestling1st&nbsp;round1. Trell Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla. 3.7 seconds;2. Sam Goings, Fallon, Nev. 3.8;3. Jacob Talley, Keatchie, La. 4.1;4. (tie) Logan Mullin, Clay Center, Kan. and Joe Wilson, Martin, S.D. 4.3 each.Tie-down roping1st&nbsp;round1. Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M. 7.6 seconds2. Riley Webb, Denton, Texas 7.9;3. Taylor Santos, Creston, Calif. 8.4;4. Lane Livingston, Seymour, Texas 8.5.Saddle bronc riding1. Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa 85.5 points on -259 State Side;2. Brady Hill, Onida, S.D. 85;3. Garrett Long, Valentine, Neb. 80.5;4. Cable Wareham, Whiting, Kan. 77.5Breakaway roping1. (tie) Katie Dent, Mullen, Neb. and Emma Charleston, Reeds, Mo. 3.3 seconds each;3. Sawyer Gilbert, Buffalo, S.D. 3.4;4. (tie) Mable McAbee, Ansley, Neb. and Brenda White, Oelrichs, S.D. 3.6 each.Team roping1. Clay Holz, Pueblo, Colo./Matt Zancanella, Aurora, S.D. 5.1 seconds;2. Andrew Ward, Edmond, Okla./Buddy Hawkins II, Stephenville, Texas 5.8;3. Jase Staudt, Saguache, Colo./Jhett Trenary, Salida, Colo. 6.4;4. Braden Pirrung, Hartford, S.D./Jade Nelson, Midland, S.D. 7.6;Barrel racing1. Summer Kosel, Glenham, S.D. 17.47 seconds;2. Wenda Johnson, Pawhuska, Okla. 17.56;3. Paige Jones, Wayne, Okla. 17.61;4. Erin Wetzel, Plant City, Fla. 17.77.Bull riding&nbsp;No qualified rides.** All results are unofficial.&nbsp;