The SDSU rodeo team is just past the halfway point of its fall season after competing in four rodeos and coach Ron Skovly is happy with his team’s performances.  

The season started in River Falls, Wisconsin, followed by two rodeos in North Platte, Nebraska, and a rodeo in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The men’s and women’s teams compete against schools throughout South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Minnesota.  

The women’s team is currently sitting second in the standings with 1,074.5 points, trailing Black Hills State University by 21 points. The men’s team is in fourth place with 1,345 points, trailing Black Hills State, Iowa Central Community College and Mid-Plains Community College. BHSU leads the standings with 2,050.5 points.  

Skovly’s goals are to practice hard, be competitive in every event and continue to develop College National Finals Rodeo qualifiers.  

“I try to make it as easy as I can for every team member to go to class and be successful in the classroom and in the arena,” Skovly said. “That’s my full-time job.” 

The team had multiple top-finishers during its weekend in Fort Dodge, Iowa Sept. 22-23. Second-place winners from the weekend were Trey Frank in the team roping, Opal Harkins in the breakaway roping, and a first-place finish by Kaden Wooters in the steer wrestling. Rafe Wientjes also finished second in the tie-down roping and Swayze Ness was fourth in the team roping.  

The weekend ended with Harkins as the reserve all-around champion cowgirl. 

Zane Druery is a freshman from Anselmo, Nebraska, studying mechanical engineering and has enjoyed his time on the SDSU rodeo team. 

“The people are my favorite part,” Druery said. “Everybody is fun to hang out with, everybody helps each other out and it’s a good environment to practice and get better.” 

Hannah Schubert is a sophomore from Brainerd, Minnesota, studying agricultural business and also competed on the team last year.  

“I go to practice every night because I do all four events,” Schubert said. “We’ve all been working really hard and it’s paying off in the arena. I look forward to practicing with my friends every day.” 

The Jackrabbits will finish out the fall season in Dickinson, North Dakota Sept. 29-30 and Alta, Iowa Oct. 6-7. 

2024 Spring Rodeo Schedule
• April 5-6: Iowa State Cyclone Stampede—Ames, Iowa
• April 12-13: SDSU Jackrabbit Stampede—Brookings
• April 26-27: Black Hills State University Yellow Jacket Stampede—Spearfish, S.D.
• Mary 3-4: UNL Rodeo—Lincoln, Nebraska