Two receive rodeo scholarships – North Platte Post Archive

Two members of the Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team have been awarded scholarships to help further their education.

Duell Puttergill, of Tryon, shakes hands with David Fudge, NEBRASKAland Days executive director, after receiving a $750 scholarship from NLD. Pictured left to right are: Garrett Nokes, MPCC Rodeo Team timed event coach, Puttergill, Fudge and Dustin Elliott, MPCC Rodeo Team rough stock coach.

Duell Puttergill, of Tryon, competes in saddle bronc riding for the college. He is the recipient of a $750 scholarship from NEBRASKAland Days.

“I feel honored to have been picked for the scholarship,” said Puttergill. “I had no idea I was even a consideration for it. It will take some of the burden off of me for student loans and will make it easier to finish this last year of college.”

It’s the first time NLD has donated a scholarship to a MPCC Rodeo Team member.

“The rodeo program is something we see of value to our community and college, and therefore, is something we want to support,” said David Fudge, NLD executive director. “That program is developing the next generation of cowboys and cowgirls who may one day be competing at the professional level.”

Garrett Nokes, MPCC Rodeo Team timed event coach, looks on as Ethan Lesiak, bull rider, shakes hands with Dustin Elliott, MPCC Rodeo Team rough stock coach. Lesiak received a $1,000 scholarship from The Wranglers, the official booster club of the MPCC Rodeo Team.

Ethan Lesiak, of Columbus, is a bull rider for MPCC. He received a $1,000 scholarship from The Wranglers, the official booster club of the MPCC Rodeo Team.

“It’s certainly an honor to receive this scholarship that will help me further my education,” said Lesiak. “It came with hard work and dedication in the classroom and the rodeo arena.”

Funds for The Wranglers’ scholarships are raised a variety of ways, according to Carol Garrison, the booster club’s chairperson. A good share comes from selling concessions.

“We offer concessions at several events throughout the year – from McCook to North Platte,” said Garrison. “We also have merchandise that is just now starting to really take off in sales, and of course, we can never forget the generous public that simply gives us donations.”

The Wranglers provided concessions for the Rail Town U.S.A. College Rodeo and a high school rodeo in North Platte in September.

In November, the booster club will sell concessions in McCook during a roping at the Kiplinger Arena. It will also sell merchandise during Cowboy Christmas at the D and N Event Center in North Platte.

The Wranglers will take a break from sales in December, to decorate a room in the Cody mansion at Scout’s Rest Ranch for Christmas at the Cody’s. Concessions and merchandise sales will resume in the spring.

“In February, we will host the Mid-Plains Community College rodeo scholarship banquet in North Platte,” said Garrison. “We will serve a prime rib supper, and have live and silent auctions for items ranging from Husker football tickets to a cowboy grill.”

Banquet ticket information is available by calling Garrison at (308) 535-3778 and will be on the team Facebook page soon. More information about the MPCC Rodeo Program can be found at mpcc.edu.