Trego cowboy tops saddle bronc in second round of rodeo finals

The second round of the Northern Rodeo Association/Northern Women’s Rodeo Association Finals Friday night at Majestic Valley Arena in Kalispell was a good night for Gerald Eash of Trego, who was the second-round winner in saddle bronc riding, with a score of 78.5.

Eash has gathered season earnings to over $12,000.

Kyle Callaway of Billings won second round of steer wrestling to scoot into first place in the year-end standings. Callaway, who is the defending champ, topped the second round with a time of 4.5 seconds. Jhet Murphy of Helena took second in the second round action, with 4.8 seconds.

In bareback riding, J2 Bridges of Dillon took first in the second round.

On Friday night there were no qualified rides in the bull riding competition.

Other top finishers in the second round were Jack Graham of Lakeview in tie-down roping with a score of 8.9; Tayla Moeykens of Three Forks in ladies barrel racing with 15.97; and Drew Zipperian of Bozeman in ladies breakaway roping with 2.3. Cassie Jumper of Kalispell took fifth in the second round with 4.10.

In the team roping standings, Travis Tryan of Billings and Justin Viles with the round, posting a time of 4.8 seconds, while first-round winners Brady Tryan of Huntley and Sid Sporer were second with 6.3 seconds. Former all-around champion Jack Graham moved into the new team roping heeler leader spot after placing fourth in the second round with Sam Levine.

The NRA/NWRA finals wrap up tonight (Saturday) at 7 p.m. at Majestic Valley Arena to determine the 2019 year-end champions. Doors open to the public at 5:30 p.m.; an after-party is planned at Blue Canyon Tavern next to the Hilton Garden Inn in Kalispell.