By: Emilie Jenson 

Public Information Coordinator 

Five members of the Iowa Central Rodeo Team will be traveling to Casper, Wyoming this weekend to compete in the College National Finals Rodeo June 9-15.

The athletes from Iowa Central who qualified to compete in this year's CNFR at the Ford Wyoming Center include Rachel Werkman, freshman barrel racer; Cash Owens, sophomore saddle bronc rider; Cody Owens, freshman saddle bronc; Drew Lind, third-year bareback rider; and Sage Vance, third-year bull rider. Each qualified for their events by placing in the top three in the Great Plains Region.

Coming off an injury and surgery, Vance finished as regional runner-up with 445 points to qualify for nationals. He said he is grateful for the opportunity to compete for Iowa Central one final time in front of one of the largest audiences in the country. Vance has been competing in the Bull Riding circuit for five years and is a three-time national qualifier for the Tritons.

"For two years I won the region before an injury," said Vance. "I didn't get to compete in much of the spring season, only had three events before finals so it is exciting to overcome injury and still have the opportunity. It is an honor for me to get out there and wear the Iowa Central vest one more time."

Cash Owens, a 2024 saddle bronc regional champion with 841 points, returns to the CNFR as a two-time national qualifier for the Tritons. He qualified in 2023 in bareback riding. Owens has been involved with saddle bronc riding for around three years.

"It is an event that I started out a little unsure of, but turned out I really like it," Owens said of saddle bronc. "The more I've gotten into it the more I have come to like it."

Competing alongside Cash Owens is his brother, Cody, a first-time CNFR qualifier in saddle bronc. Cody Owens qualified by finishing third in the Great Plains Region with 631 season points. He said he was driven to make nationals from the start of the season.

"I was 100 percent sure I could get there and was able to do it," said Cody Owens. "I am super excited for the opportunity to get out there and compete and represent Iowa Central.

Cash Owens said that while competing in the same event as his brother, teamwork and experience is what they focus on instead of rivalry.

"Cody and I always dreamed of making the college finals," said Cash Owens. "I think we've wanted this since fifth or sixth grade and to get to do it together is a pretty awesome thing."

"It's typical brother stuff," Cody Owens said of competing with Cash. "But it has been a great experience, and I am glad I have had the opportunity to compete alongside him."

Lind, a three-time CNFR qualifier, finished as regional champion with 1,426 season points in Bareback Riding.

Werkman, a first-time qualifier for Iowa Central who finished second in the region in Barrel Racing with 615 points, has been around rodeo and participating in the event for much of her life.

"It has been one of my goals to get to nationals," said Werkman. "You go into the season with that in mind, to get that national qualification. It means a lot to me to be able to make it, it's just an awesome feeling."

Each of the national qualifiers agree that being part of the team has been the greatest highlight of their collegiate careers.

"These past three years have been a great experience," said Vance. "There's been a group of us who have really found our niche together."

"In one word, being part of this team has been 'amazing,'" said Cash Owens. "We have fun together, we have a great set of coaches, and a group of great people who push you to be your best and always do better in the arena and in life."

Events for the College National Finals Rodeo get underway at 1 p.m. Sunday and will stream live on ESPN3.