Williams creates new goals after Nationals

A CSC cowgirl roped in her goals at Nationals over the summer break. 

Brianna Williams, recent graduate of Buffalo, South Dakota, finished fourth in breakaway roping, June 19, while competing at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper Wyoming. 

“I talked to many different girls who have been there in the past and asked them what their game plan looked like and what my focus should be,” Williams said. “All of them said the same thing: just catch four. My ultimate goal then was to catch all four of my calves, and I did just that.” 

Williams said she focused on one run at a time. In the finals, she caught her calf in 5.3 seconds, placing her sixth in the go-round. She was one of the seven ropers out of 58 contestants that lassoed all four of her calves. 

Her total time of all four runs was 17.9 seconds. 

“My experience at nationals was amazing,” Williams said. “It is something I will never forget. The atmosphere, the crowd, the intensity, I loved every minute of it.” 

Williams also enjoyed her time in Casper away from the arena by watching a softball tournament and the CINCH Style Show. 

Williams’ love for the rodeo and competing in it started when she was younger. 

“I started going to junior rodeos at about the age of five,” Williams said. “Rodeo has always been a part of me.” 

From five years old, she continued competing in junior high, making it to nationals then. She continued competing through high school, eventually making it into college rodeo. 

“My love for roping, barrel racing and tying goats pushed me to start competing,” Williams said. “I could spend all day every day in the arena riding so it’s definitely something I love.” 

She never got tired of it and still doesn’t.  

Her biggest motivation to continue to improve herself are her personal goals. Williams had the goal of making it to the college finals and because she has reached it, she already has new goals that she wants to accomplish. 

“I never stop making goals whether they are small or big,” Williams said. “That keeps me going.” 

Even though she graduated in May, she will compete on CSC’s rodeo team for two more years while she works for a master’s degree in organizational management.