CASPER, Wyo. — Two athletes from Northwest Mississippi Community College competed at the College National Finals Rodeo on Monday morning in Casper. Freshman barrel racer Raegan Chance posted a time of 14.01 seconds in her first run, placing her in the top eight after the opening go-round, according to the event’s organizers.
Chance, from Mendenhall, is Northwest’s first barrel racer at the CNFR since Hall of Famer Kindyl Scruggs qualified in 2013. She expressed pride in reaching the national stage, noting her four-year partnership with her horse Sky and her ambitions to compete at this level.
Chance, who started her college rodeo journey with a win at the University of West Alabama, faced some midseason struggles but remained optimistic. Her perseverance paid off at the final regular-season rodeo in Senatobia, where she finished second at Arkansas Tech, earning her a spot in Casper. She said her focus was on trusting her horse and giving her best efforts.
Meanwhile, Will Collier, a third-year steer wrestler from Malden, Missouri, made a strong start, catching his steer in 8.2 seconds. Although he fell short of making the short go, he finished the CNFR in ninth place— the highest ever for a Northwest steer wrestler, according to the college.
Collier, who has competed at the CNFR twice before, had a steady season with six top-five finishes in 10 rodeos. He clinched his third trip to Casper with a 4.7-second run in the final weekend, moving him into second in the region standings. He expressed confidence despite a less competitive first run in Wyoming, emphasizing his ability to perform under pressure.
Both athletes, along with bull rider Dakota Smith, are scheduled to compete again Tuesday during the slack rounds, with their final runs in the evening. The events will be broadcast live on ESPN+. Fans can follow the team’s progress on social media and at nwccrangers.com.
