Powell's Kaleb Asay, three NWC riders to competeThree members of the Northwest College rodeo team look to cap their season with All-American status at the College National Finals Rodeo. The event gets started this Sunday in Casper. Trapper Cayd Kluesner will look to continue the late-season success that saw him vault up the standings this spring.

Kluesner grabbed the Big Sky Region's final automatic qualifying spot in the CNFR by being the only rider to successfully stay aboard two bulls at the season-ending University of Montana rodeo.

Making the matter even more incredible was the fact that Kluesner was only cleared medically to compete 48 hours before the competition. He rode with a torn knee ligament, an issue that will continue to challenge him in Casper.

“He hasn't called and told me anything's different so I assume nothing has changed,” said Northwest College rodeo coach Del Nose, who will be stepping aside as the Trappers' coach at the conclusion of the CNFR. “Knowing Cayd and the type of person he is, he'll come ready to go and do whatever he needs to do.”

Kluesner is scheduled to ride three successive nights, beginning on Sunday.

Northwest College's other two competitors will participate in breakaway roping, as Cody Proctor and Haily Hamlin were also drawn into Sunday's action. The pair will compete in the same section on Sunday and Monday before splitting for the final round. Proctor will take her third go on Thursday, June 17. Hamlin's third round will come 24 hours later as part of the Friday, June 18 field.

“They're ready to go,” said Nose. “We'll just have to see what happens.”