The CCA Finals concluded on Saturday evening with four Southwest competitors emerging as event champions in Swift Current.
Maple Creek’s Logan Resch earned her first Finals title in Junior Girls Barrel Racing. She placed second in the final performance in 12.96 seconds to close out the championship.
“It’s very overwhelming and I’m very excited and very happy. There’s lots of emotions,” said Resch.
Resch entered the Finals in second spot in Junior Girls Barrel Racing. “My season was filled with ups and downs, but every rodeo season is. I was very happy with my season. I had lots of success, so it was good.”
Maple Creek’s James Perrin placed second in the final performance with a 71.5-point ride to close out the title in Junior Boys Steer Riding.
Consul’s Monty Koopman won the first title of the evening when he tied for top spot in Bareback to clinch his first Finals championship.
“I don’t even know how to describe it. I’ve been doing this so long and it’s the first time ever. It’s the greatest feeling in the world. It probably hasn’t sunk in, it won’t sink in until tomorrow I’m guessing,” said Koopman, who entered the Finals in seventh spot in the Bareback season standings.
Last, but certainly not least, was Chanse Switzer, who completed a dominating week with an 82-point ride on Plan B to win Bull Riding at the Finals.
“My goal, I said it right at the start of the week, I was planning on going five-for-five, try to get five bulls covered. I ended up getting four. Being that I was that close to my goal, and the bulls when they’re that rank, I consider that an accomplishment,” said the Hazenmore cowboy.
The CCA Finals began on Wednesday and featured five rounds of action as well as three Novice/Junior performances.
“I think our event has gone really well this year. The first two nights our attendance was a little low, but the last three performances have been fantastic,” said Robin Poirier, who will take over as CCA President in 2019.
The CCA Finals were held for the third straight year in Swift Current as a part of a five-year agreement, which Poirier said he hopes will move forward in the future.
“For benefits of the three partnerships we would like to keep everything moving forward, get some more sponsorship if possible, make it better in all areas of the whole thing because we are in a three-way partnership with the City, the Ag & Ex, and ourselves.”
The Finals were previously held in Regina during Agribition.
“Well we are a month earlier, so usually the weather is a lot better. It’s a better atmosphere for the cowboys and contestants. We have fabulous volunteer support here. It can’t get much better in my opinion,” said Poirier.
The Saturday evening event winners were as follows:
Bareback Riding – (tied) Brady Bertram (Maple Creek, SK) and Monty Koopman (Consul, SK), score 82.
Team Roping – Ty Paton (Carnduff, SK) and Jim Bob Gomersall (Moose Jaw, SK), 10.7 seconds.
Saddle Bronc Riding – Tim Costello (Swift Current, SK), score 80.
Steer Wrestling – Justin Miller (Neepawa, MB), 3.7 seconds.
Ladies Barrel Racing – Jordan Fitzhenry (Coaldale, AB), 12.6 seconds.
Tie Down Roping – Matt Switzer (Yorkton, SK), 8.4 seconds.
Bull Riding – Chad Hartman (Lancer, SK), score 87.
Junior Girls Barrel Racing – Janae Wilson (Maple Creek, SK), 12.85 seconds.
Junior Boys Steer Riding – Gage Hillis (Lloydminster, SK), score 73.5.
The 2018 CCA Finals Champions were as follows:
Bareback Riding – Monty Koopman (Consul, SK).
Team Roping – Ian Box and Connor Box (Corning, SK).
Saddle Bronc Riding – Coleman Watt (Hardisty, AB).
Steer Wrestling – Scott Sigfusson (Davidson, SK).
Ladies Barrel Racing – Jordan Fitzhenry (Coaldale, AB).
Tie Down Roping – Kevin Dunham (Souris, MB).
Bull Riding – Chanse Switzer (Hazenmore, SK).
Junior Girls Barrel Racing – Logan Resch (Maple Creek, SK).
Junior Boys Steer Riding – James Perrin (Maple Creek, SK).
Please read the October 25 edition of the Southwest Booster for the complete story.
