The University of Wyoming rodeo team was strong in the opening weekend of the Central Rocky Mountain Region season. While competing in Chadron, Nebra. The cowboys and cowgirls dominated by sweeping both the men’s and women’s team titles for the weekend. 

For the men, junior Sam Gallagher was the story of the weekend. The all-around cowboy had an overall outstanding performance racking up points in multiple events. Gallagher not only claimed the men’s all-around title, but also walked away with the team roping championship heeling for partner Cooper Jones of Casper College. Sam also placed fourth in steer wrestling, and added a fifth-place finish in tie-down roping. With his dominating weekend, Gallagher primed himself for a successful junior season. 

College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) qualifier and transfer Tate Talkington continued his winning ways from last year taking the win in the tie-down roping. Thayne Kimbrough also came out on top in steer wrestling. 

On the women's side of things, Josie Mousel placed 2nd in the women's all around and 3rd in the goat tying. Olivia Lay also helped the women's teams cause by taking the championship in the breakaway roping. Many other talented cowboys and cowgirls placed in Chadron and contributed to the team championships. 

After his standout weekend, Gallagher summed up his season goals by saying. “This year my goals are to make it to the college finals in the steer wrestling and team roping and to win the all around.” 

For Sam, his all-around talent mirrors the program’s all-around strength too. Success in college rodeo isn’t just about one successful performance but stacking points across events and building momentum each weekend. That’s exactly what Wyoming did in Chadron, and it sets them up as an early favorite for another Central Rocky Mountain region championship.

Looking down the road, the Cowboys and Cowgirls already have their eyes on Casper, Wyom. for the 2026 CNFR. But first, they will continue down the road to Riverton, Wyom. this weekend, September 19-21 with hopes of another successful weekend.