July 9, 2018
Levi Gray is a member of the Mesalands Rodeo Team.
Bull Rider Levi Gray from Dairy, OR represented the Mesalands Community College Rodeo Team at the 70th College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) last month in Casper, WY.
The bulls stole the show at the 2018 CNFR. According to Matt Hughes, Intercollegiate Rodeo Coach and Faculty Member at Mesalands, there were only 12 qualifying rides during the entire rodeo.
“Levi didn’t have much luck at the college finals,” Coach Hughes said. “He actually drew two of our practice bulls and he bucked off. It’s important that you don’t underestimate these bulls.”
Gray did receive a no score at the college finals. Coach Hughes says this only encourages him to work harder next season.
“Levi is extremely competitive and this was a good learning experience for him. There are many freshmen that don’t make it to the college finals and Levi did,” Coach Hughes said. “He is even more excited about returning next year. I look for Levi to be a national champion before he leaves Mesalands Community College.”
Gray did finish the season strong. He took 10th place in the national year-end standings. He also claimed the Grand Canyon Regional Reserve Championship Title in Bull Riding with 536.5 points.
For the 2018-2019 season, Coach Hughes plans to have approximately 25 student athletes on the Mesalands Rodeo Team. He already has national letters of intents signed from students in Arizona, California, Missouri, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wyoming.
The Mesalands Community College Rodeo Team will host their 11th Annual Mesalands Intercollegiate Fall Rodeo on October 12-13, 2018 at the Quay County Rodeo Arena.
