The 2015-16 rodeo season is starting off well for the Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team. Members competed at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Rodeo in Prescott, Wis. Sept. 11-12.

Returning team member Ethan Lesiak, of Columbus, won the bull riding, and team newcomer Rowdy Moon, of Sargent, finished second in the bareback riding.

Garrett Wickett, of Norfolk, came in fourth in the bull riding, followed by Aukai Kaai, of Johnstown, Colo., who placed sixth. Kaai also placed ninth in the team roping alongside Kevin Chavira, of Imperial.

In steer wrestling, Kanoa Awai-Dickson, of Kula, Hawaii, ended up fourth and Tyler Murray, of Wheaton, Kan., was sixth.

Dustin Elliott, MPCC Rodeo Team rough stock coach, said he is pleased with how well the team did.

“These kids stepped up,” said Elliott. “It’s our farthest rodeo right out of the gate. Some have never traveled that far; some of their horses haven’t traveled that long; some it’s the first time their parents weren’t there, and some it was their first shot at money. We had a few kids that were close to making great runs and rides, and that would have made us look even more impressive. All I have to say is, ‘Look out Great Plains Region.’ This week proved we can compete with any of them.”

The next rodeo the team competes in will be on home turf. The 2015 Rail Town U.S.A. College Rodeo, will be Friday and Saturday at the Wild West Arena in North Platte. Performances are at 7 p.m. each night.

The rodeo draws an average of about 400 contestants from 12 colleges within the Great Plains Region every year.

It is a qualifying rodeo for the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, meaning points earned at the event count toward an end of the year shot at nationals.

Tickets for the rodeo are $10 for adults and $7 for children. They are available at the gate, at the NEBRASKAland Days office at the Wild West Arena, 2400 N. Buffalo Bill Ave., and online at nebrasakalanddays.com.