SENATOBIA – Sophomore bull rider Ben Cullum of Northwest is headed to the prestigious College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) after becoming the first Ranger since 1995 to win the Ozark Region in that event.

The CNFR is the "Rose Bowl" of college rodeo, with the 66th Annual event running from June 15-21 at the Casper Events Center in Casper, Wyo.

"I've been trying for the past year and a half to make it out west and ride with the big guys," Cullum said. "Knowing that I went in in eighth place and came out on top feels really great."

Cullum is just the third Ranger to win the Ozark Region in bull riding in the last 37 years, joining Virgil Alsup (1995) and Eddie Halfacre (1978). He is the fourth Ranger, however, to qualify for Nationals in the last four years in this event along with Michael Crenshaw (2013), Lucas Boatwright (2012) and Brian Dowdy (2011).

"It really hasn't sunk in yet and it's a little overwhelming to know that I'm the first guy in 19 years to win the region," Cullum said. "The crowds will be bigger, the bulls are better and the competition will be more fierce. It's going to pump me up and make me ride even harder." 

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. 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 21. 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.