CASPER, Wyo. – The 2025 College National Finals Rodeo concluded on Saturday, June 21, and so did the first season of a reborn rodeo program at Bismarck State College.
Hadly Erickson and Cael Hilzendeger both secured a spot in Saturday's short go with their strong performances throughout the week in steer wrestling and team roping, respectively. Erickson marked a 5.1 in the short go, his best time of the week. That brought his aggregate to 32.8, securing him a sixth-place finish on the national stage.
Hilzendeger competed in team roping with partner Ryan Shepard of Mid-Plains Community College. They marked a 22.3 in the short go, bringing their aggregate to 58.3 and securing a fifth-place finish. Of the 47 teams in the event, they were one of only five to record a score in all four rounds.
"There were a lot of blessings with the team this first year," said Head Coach Jon Peek. "I'm very proud of these men and women, and the support from our coaching staff and community. What a way to start."
The men's and women's teams now shift their attention to next season after a successful first year for the program, a year that saw a second-place finish for the men's team in the Great Plains Region and a seventh-place finish for the women's team. They'll open up next season with their first rodeo on September 5-6th at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls. The team will host its home rodeo at Dale Pahlke Arena in Mandan on BSC Homecoming Weekend, October 3-4.
Here are the results for all four Mystics that qualified to compete at nationals:
Seth Berg (Senior, Mandan, N.D.)
Bareback Riding – 30th Place
- Go 1: NS | Go 2: NS | Go 3: 60.5
Weston Klatt (Sophomore, Dickinson, N.D.)
Tie-Down Roping – 31st Place
- Go 1: NS | Go 2: 14.4 | Go 3: 16.2
Cael Hilzendeger (Junior, Wilton, N.D.)
Steer Wrestling – 35th Place
- Go 1: NS | Go 2: NS | Go 3: 6.9
Team Roping – 5th Place
- Go 1: 7.9 | Go 2: 10.6 | Go 3: 17.5 | Short Go: 22.3 | Total: 58.3
Hadly Erickson (Freshman, Almont, N.D.)
Steer Wrestling – 6th Place
- Go 1: 16.2 | Go 2: 5.6 | Go 3: 5.9 | Short Go: 5.1 | Total: 32.8
Team Roping – 37th Place
- Go 1: 12.6 | Go 2: NS | Go 3: NS
