MARSHALL, Mo. – In Northwest's first rodeo event of the season at Missouri Valley College, sophomore Lucas Boatwright headlined the Rangers' top performances by winning the bull riding event, while Rachel Speltz got nudged out of a Top 10 finish in the barrel racing event.

Boatwright had two rides and finished with 118 points to win the bull riding event, followed by Lee Ormesher of host MVC and Robert Waltz of UT-Martin who finished with 79 and 78 points, respectively.

"I think the biggest thing Lucas needs to do is quit thinking, and start riding," third-year rodeo coach Bruce Lee said. "We probably drew the bulls you wouldn't want to have in the event, but he showed some true grit and got it done."

In the team standings, the Ranger men current sit in eighth place after the first event of the year with 140 total points. Missouri Valley owns a commanding lead with 820 points, 235 points better than second place UT-Martin.

Speltz finished in 15th place out of 111 competitors in the barrel racing.

Northwest will travel to Livingston, Ala., Oct. 13-15 for the University of West Alabama rodeo.

"I look for some of our bull riders to place on both sides," Lee said. "Everyone we have is competitive enough to be a top contender this weekend."