CASPER, Wyo. – In a joint statement released on Wednesday, the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) and the College National Finals Rodeo Committee announced the cancellation of this year's College National Finals Rodeo.

Originally scheduled for June 14-20 in Casper, Wyoming, the event brings in many of the top college rodeo athletes from around the country and serves as the championship event for all NIRA members.

"We are devastated to be making this announcement," NIRA commissioner Roger Walters said. "We wanted to be competing in Casper this summer, but we have to do the right thing to combat this pandemic and keep our contestants and the State of Wyoming safe."

Wednesday's announcement comes nearly a month after the NIRA previously mandated the cancellation of all remaining regional rodeo events on the spring schedule.

Two Northwest student-athletes were slated to compete in the College National Finals Rodeo, marking the first time the Rangers would have been represented on the national rodeo stage since 2014. Jacob Hodges had the top spot among bull riders in the Ozark Region standings while Cade Cowan was in third place in the regional standings for team roping.

Northwest competed in its final event on March 12-14 in the Weevil Stampede in Monticello, Ark.