It has been a rough start for the Northwest College rodeo team at the National College Finals Rodeo in Casper this week — but the rodeo is far from over and things could turn around for the local cowboys.

NWC bull riders Casey Fredericks and Tyler Sterner did not have qualifying rides in the first or second go-rounds. As of Tuesday evening, only nine bull riders had qualifying rides and seven of them only have total scores in the 70s — meaning all it will take is one good ride for either of the NWC cowboys to rank high.

“This bull (go-round No. 2) was different, they come out of the chute strong and kicked hard and got me loosened up after 3 seconds and flung me down,” Sterner said. “It happens.”

The stock contractors brought some really good bulls to Casper this year, Sterner said.

“They are tough to get by and we are having a struggle sticking to them,” Sterner said.

Although things are looking grim for NWC’s bull riders, the rodeo is far from over and they aren’t alone in their struggle — only a handful of cowboys have made qualifying rides so far.

“Knowing I’m not the only one struggling and it could take one bull to get in, I am confident in myself and my abilities for tomorrow night (Wednesday night) and hopefully I can stay on him,” Sterner said.

Things are looking much more positive for NWC in the bareback event.

NWC’s Jesse Nelson had a 58.5-point ride in the second go-round and a 73 in the first go-round. He is currently tied for 24th with 131.5 points.

The competition is tight for the bareback event on the average with the majority of the higher-ranked cowboys in the 130s and low 140s.

Lane Lahaye is in a similar position for the tie-down roping, ranking 21st with 37.0 for the first two go-rounds.

Lahaye had a rough start with a 23.6 in the first go-round but he came back with more than 10 seconds shaved off his time in the second go-round with a 13.4. If Lahaye can repeat his second performance or even get down to the single-digits for time, he could still rank fairly well at the NCFR.

Team ropers Shawn Bird and Zach Schweigert did not have a score for the first go-round and are currently tied for 30th with about 15 other teams. But, they are far from alone as half of the team ropers at the NCFR have not made a timed catch yet.

NWC head rodeo coach Del Nose and the rest of the NWC rodeo team did not return calls in time for publication.

“My plan is to keep my head high and not worry about my rides and not worry about what happened on the last bulls and just take my time,” Sterner said of his plans for the remainder of the rodeo.