SENATOBIA – Sophomores Kindyl Scruggs (Southaven) and Michael Crenshaw (Hernando) of Northwest Mississippi CC are headed to the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) after qualifying in barrel racing and bull riding out of the Ozark Region.

The CNFR is the "Rose Bowl" of college rodeo, with the 65th Annual event running from June 9-15 at the Casper Events Center in Casper, Wyo.

"At the beginning of the year I set a goal to win the region," Scruggs said. "In barrel racing there's anywhere from 5-10 girls that are really tough and do pro rodeo, so it's definitely pretty tough each week."

"I had expectations of winning the region, but came up a little short," Crenshaw said. "I ended up reserve champion this year but still made the CNFR and I'm going to make the best of that."

The duo become the fourth riders in three years to make the finals out in Wyoming, with Brian Dowdy (2011) and Lucas Boatwright (2012) qualifying in bull riding the previous two seasons.

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 15. 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 www.cnfr.com.

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