Casper, Wyoming – Navajo Technical University was represented by Rooster Yazzie and Hiyo Yazzie both of Brimhall, NM at the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in Casper, WY, June 12-18, 2022. The duo performed exceptionally well at the rodeo that featured approximately 400 of the top college cowboys and cowgirls from across the country competing for the national championships individually and as teams. Navajo Technical University men finished in 28th place with 120 points at the 10- day event held at the Ford Wyoming Event Center.
“I’m impressed with our students Rooster and Hiyo Yazzie for their accomplishments and representing Navajo Technical University at the CNFR,” said NTU Provost Dr. Colleen W. Bowman as she attended the event to support the students and to express her gratitude for their representation at the event. “They both demonstrated their remarkable talents as student athletes on a grand stage. NTU is grateful to have them as our students. They competed with heart and showed the country that they have what it takes to compete at the national level.”
At the event, Hiyo Yazzie had outstanding performances in the tiedown roping event leading to the championship round. In the second round of the rodeo, he roped and tied his calf in 8.7 seconds earning a second place in the round. He was shy of advancing to the short round with his 20.9 second time in the third round that placed him 16th overall for the CNFR. An invitation by New Mexico State University’s healer Jonathan Carrizal, he was added as a header in the team roping event. Unfortunately, the team was unsuccessful in their event in the third round.
NTU steer wrestler Rooster Yazzie had an impressive performance in the third round putting his steer down in 4.6 seconds for a third-place tie in the round. He was assisted by teammate Mathew Jodie who did not qualify but hazed the steer for Yazzie. Rooster received no times for the first two rounds and finished 36th at the event. NTU cowboys were unable to advance to the championship round where the top 12 rodeo athletes competed for the coveted national title for each of the nine featured events.
“It was a great experience for me to compete among the best in the country in college rodeo and I’m thankful to have this opportunity,” said Rooster Yazzie in an inter view with NTU radio station KCZY about his competition at the CNFR. “To compete at this level, I have to thank Navajo Technical University, my family, and everyone who supports me in this sport.”
The CNFR was also broadcasted by Navajo Technical University’s radio station, 107.3 FM KCZY. The rodeo was announced live on the station by manager Cuyler R. Frank and KCZY DJ Glen King in the Navajo language back to its listenership of Eastern Agency of the Navajo nation. The broadcast was a first at the CNFR which was broadcasted primarily in the Navajo language with interviews in the English language.
“Rodeo is a popular sport on the Navajo Nation and we appreciate being represented nationally by Rooster and Hiyo, they deserve the recognition,” said NTU President Elmer Guy as he mentioned the athletes and the university being acknowledged at the CNFR. “I would also like to thank our NTU radio station KCZY manager Cuyler Frank for broadcasting the event, this was a first for our institution. We continue to make strides for our students and I’m grateful for everyone making an effort to grow our institution for our students and communities.”
The NTU timed-event cowboys both qualified among top athletes from the Grand Canyon Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association where the top three of each rodeo event are selected to compete at the CNFR. Rooster Yazzie finished the 2021-2022 season in the steer wrestling event in third place with 671.5 points and sixth in the all-around standings. Hiyo Yazzie also finished third place of the tie down roping with 471 points and seventh in the all-around standings. In the Grand Canyon Region, the NTU Men’s team completed the season in fourth place with a combined total of 2449 points.
Other Navajo college rodeo athletes at the CNFR from the Grand Canyon Region were Northern Arizona University student Stade Riggs who competed in the saddle bronc riding, he finished at the event in 12th place with 197 points. Central Arizona College bull rider Brad Moreno completed the event in eighth place with one qualified ride of 68.5 points and competed in the team roping with teammate Jaken Todacheenie of Northland Pioneer College. Kiara Begay was also at the event for University of Arizona in the Barrel Racing event finishing 12th place for the event.
For more information on the College National Finals Rodeo, please visit www.cnfr.com. For more information about Navajo Technical University’s rodeo team, contact coach Nicole Pino at npino@navajotech.edu.