North Platte, Neb., September 19, 2023—The Mitchell Tech Mavericks men’s rodeo team rode out of North Platte, Neb., on a high note after a pair of back-to-back rodeos at Mid-Plains Community College.
“We were hitting on all cylinders,” Mavericks head coach Jimmie Nicolaus said. “We’ve had a great couple of weekends. Now, we just need to focus on keeping it going.”
The Maverick men won the first rodeo of the weekend, held Thursday and Friday, third in Saturday’s rodeo, and third overall.
Saddle bronc rider Holden Eisemann held onto first place in both rodeos, earning him the saddle bronc riding championship for the weekend and leading the men’s team’s success.
Eisemann, a Mobridge native who rodeoed in the high school and 4H circuits before coming to Mitchell Tech, said the win has re-energized him for his collegiate career.
“Right away in River Falls (Wisc. last week), I got bucked off. The competition is way better and the bucking stock is way better than what I’m used to,” he said. “I’m excited that the team – especially the rough stock kids – are climbing our way up in the standings. I’m looking forward to getting the team and myself more points.
Bull rider Chazz Gabe also earned the buckle Friday night, but he did not place Saturday after being bucked off – and then stepped on – by the bull he drew.
“Going into that ride, I was confident and kept telling myself, ‘Let’s win this.’ I was feeling confident and looking forward to stepping off and winning some money. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always go that way,” Gabe, originally from Timber Lake, said.
Gabe was taken by ambulance to the hospital, where he was monitored overnight.
Bull rider Thane Keller of Timber Lake took fifth in the first rodeo, and third Saturday.
Tyler Esser from Frankfort placed fourth in team roping with his partner, Connor Treyer of Southeast Community College, on Friday. Cavin Olson of Princeton, Minn., came in fifth in the same event with his partner, Lathan DeMontigny from North Dakota State University. They placed ninth on Saturday.
The Mavericks finished third in Saturday’s rodeo, with Keller finishing third in bull riding and Olson and DeMontigny earning ninth for team roping.
The Mavericks hit the road for Ft. Dodge, Iowa, Friday for the Triton Stampede.
