Painter finishes third at CNFR

The Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team wrapped up the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo. on Saturday.

Cinch Painter, of Springview, led the way with a third-place finish in steer wrestling. The freshman posted a time of 5.4 in the third round to punch his ticket to the championship round.

Painter capitalized on his final round posting the second fastest time of 4.2 seconds to finish third in the average. Through his successes in the arena throughout the week Painter would be awarded the Rookie of the Year honor.

“Cinch showed up this week in a big way and it was business as usual,” said Aukai Kaai, MPCC Rodeo Team roughstock coach. “He needed to make good solid runs and be consistent and he did just that.”

Teammate Jackson Lunn scored in all three rounds in the bareback riding event but failed to qualify for the short round. Rex Day (steer wrestling) and Whitney Jennings (breakaway) each posted times in two of their three rounds to finish in the top forty in their respective events.

“I am extremely proud of all our student-athletes that competed,” said Kaai. “This is a very young team, and I am excited for the future of this program.”