The Northwest College rodeo team is set to kick off its season this weekend, as it gears up to host its annual Trapper Rodeo in Cody this Friday and Saturday.

“We’re getting ready to start a new season,” coach Del Nose said. “We’re the first ones [to host]. Everybody is kind of excited.”

Nose said that seven teams from around the Big Sky Region are set to attend the rodeo, as the slack rounds will begin at 9 a.m. on both days and the evening performances at 7 p.m.

The rodeo will take place at the Cody rodeo grounds. Nose is hopeful that the Trappers can improve on their third place overall team performance last year with strong returning sophomores and key incoming freshmen.

“I hope we have enough talent to be first or second,” he said. “The new recruits that have come in are blending in well with the sophomores we have so we should be more competitive.”

Nose added that recruiting for the team is nearing the level it was at prior to COVID-19, with the Trappers eyeing a strong fall season to kick off the 2024-25 year.

Northwest will compete at home, before heading to Dawson Community College next weekend and the University of Montana-Western the final weekend of September to wrap up the fall season.