AMES, Iowa – Dickinson State turned in a strong weekend at the Iowa State University rodeo on March 27-28, led by a first-place performance from Molly Rotenberger in goat tying and a runner-up finish from Brody Froelich in saddle bronc riding. The Blue Hawks finished third in the women's team standings with 200 points and fifth in the men's team standings with 180 points.

Rotenberger paced Dickinson State with the top individual performance of the rodeo. She won the long go in goat tying with a 6.8-second run, added a 6.7 in the short go to win that round as well, and claimed the average title with a combined time of 13.5 seconds. Her sweep of the event earned 180 total points and also secured the women's all-around championship.

Rotenberger's performance accounted for most of Dickinson State's women's team total and helped the Blue Hawks finish behind only Iowa Central Community College, which won the team title with 290 points, and Mid-Plains Community College, which placed second with 280. Dickinson State finished ahead of Bismarck State, United Tribes Technical College, South Dakota State and the rest of the field.

Maci Maher also contributed for Dickinson State in the women's events. Maher split fourth, fifth and sixth in the long go of breakaway roping with a 3.0-second run and earned 20 points. She posted a 13.5 in the short go and finished with a 16.5 average.

On the men's side, Froelich led Dickinson State with a second-place finish in saddle bronc riding. He placed third in the long go with a 64-point ride, then won the short go with a 73-point effort. His combined score of 137 was good for second in the average and gave the Blue Hawks 150 points in the event.

Koy McAllister of Mid-Plains won the saddle bronc average at 142, while Froelich finished just behind him after posting the top score of the short round.

Eli Higa also scored for Dickinson State in saddle bronc riding. Higa recorded a 62 in the long go to finish fourth in that round and added 30 points to the team total. He did not record a score in the second go.

Bismarck State won the men's team title with 880 points. Mid-Plains finished second with 430, Southeast Community College was third with 370, and South Dakota State took fourth with 215. Dickinson State's 180 points placed the Blue Hawks fifth in the final standings.

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Blue Hawk rodeo heads to Brookings, S.D. for the SDSU Jackrabbit Stampede set for April 10th & 11th.