CODY, Wyo. — Dickinson State opened its first season in the NIRA Big Sky Region with eight average placings across five events at the Trapper Stampede Sept. 11-12, highlighted by Chase Kling's championship performance in saddle bronc.

Kling led the Blue Hawks in saddle bronc, placing third in the long go before winning the short go and finishing first in the average with a combined score of 146. He also added a third-place average finish in team roping after placing fifth in the long go and second in the short go.

Dickinson State had two average placers in breakaway roping. Aspen Dunford finished fourth in the long go and second in the short go to place second in the average with a time of 6.6. Jessica Hamilton won the long go and followed with a fourth-place finish in the short go, placing third in the average at 7.4.

Kling and Colton Zubach each placed in the team roping average. Kling finished third after his fifth-place long-go and second-place short-go performances. Zubach won the long go and finished fifth in the average.

Molly Rotenberger added a fourth-place average finish in goat tying. She placed sixth in the long go before finishing second in the short go, recording an average time of 15.5.

Two more Blue Hawks placed in the bull riding average. Eli Higa won the long go and finished second in the average with a score of 86. Teytum Bullinger placed fifth in the long go and fifth in the average with a score of 69.

Dickinson State will continue Big Sky Region competition Sept. 18-19 at Dawson Community College in Glendive, Mont.