OREM — Utah Valley State College's rodeo team, ranked No. 1 in the nation, will be participating in the College National Finals Rodeo June 15-21 in Casper, Wyo.

The team recently finished with top honors at the Rocky Mountain Regional Rodeo March 27-29 in Heber City, competing against a number of schools, including Weber State University, Southern Utah University, Dixie State College, Salt Lake Community College, Utah State University and Utah State University-Uintah Basin, College of Southern Idaho, Idaho State University and Boise State University.

"Our team held strong this season by winning in our region and still maintaining the No. 1 ranking in the nation," said Steve Fordham, UVSC college rodeo team advisory committee chairman. UVSC came out on top with 7,166.50 points, followed by Weber State University with 6,258.50 points. "We walked away with a trophy and plaque for our first-place accomplishment."

The following students placed in the top three positions in their events in the region and will represent UVSC at the College National Finals Rodeo: Tyler Evans from Bluffdale and Taylor White from Richfield in saddle bronc riding; Colton Bair from Benson and Kaycee Feild from Elkridge in bareback riding; Wacey Allred from Cleveland and Taylor White in bull riding; Baylor Roche from Tremonton and Carson Miles from Mountain Home in steer wrestling; Carson Miles as the team roping header and Chad Heaton from Lehi and Kaycee Feild as team roping heelers.