SENATOBIA – Northwest sophomore Lucas Boatwright of Olive Branch is heading to the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in Casper, Wyo., after becoming the second Ranger in as many years to qualify in the bull riding event.

With Northwest occupying five of the top eight spots in the Ozark Region for the majority of the season, Boatwright finished in third with 290 season points and won the first event of the year at Missouri Valley College. He just edged out Brian Dowdy, last year's national qualifier, who had 240 points. 

The CNFR is the "Rose Bowl" of college rodeo, with the 63rd Annual week long event running from June 10-16 at the Casper Events Center in Wyoming.

The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) will crown individual event champions in saddle bronc riding, bare back riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, breakaway roping and goat tying. National team championships are also awarded to both men's and women's teams, with over 400 cowboys and cowgirls from over 100 universities and colleges competing from one of the NIRA's 11 regions.

Each contestant has three preliminary rounds of competition prior to the final round on Saturday night, June 16. Scores and times from those three rounds will be added up and the 12 contestants with the fastest total times or highest total scores will advance to the finals.

Complete information about the CNFR and daily results will be available at http://www.cnfr.com/.

To learn about joining the Northwest Mississippi rodeo team or for more information, please contact coach Lee by email at blee@northwestms.edu or by phone at (662) 562-3430.