UW coach, students see rodeo success

Loveland, Colo. – During the 2018 Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo, University of Wyoming Rodeo Coach Beau Clark and UW Team Roper J.C. Flake saw big results. The event, held Oct. 25-27 at The Ranch in Loveland, Colo., saw cowboys and cowgirls from across the region compete for buckles, year-end titles, over $158,000 in prize money and the chance to qualify for the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kissimmee, Fla. 

Clark, competing in steer wrestling, completed his run in the final round 3.8 seconds.

“I thought he was a really good chance to make a good run,” Clark comments. “Winning takes care of itself.” 

Clark has competed in Florida twice before, but this year is the first year he’ll make the trip with his family.

“I’ll be fun,” he says.

Flake also qualified to compete in Florida after winning the team roping event. 

Flake finished sixth in the Resistol “Rookie of the Year” standings. He and partner Paul Beckett from Laramie won the Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo, finishing off three steers in 17.7 seconds. 

Flake says, “My partner did a great job. Our game plan was to just get him caught and let the other guy do what they were going to do. We were going to do the best job we could and see how it fell. It fell in our favor, and we get to go to Kissimmee.”

Flake also sees significance in competing at the national event with his coach.

“Beau and I get to fly down together as a coach and his athlete. That’s really cool,” he says. “Our plan was, ‘If you’re making it, I’m making it.’ We both got it done, and it worked out great.”