Mission Valley cowgirls, cowboys compete at NRA Finals
BERL TISKUS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 9 months, 2 weeks AGO
Reporter Berl Tiskus joined the Lake County Leader team in early March 2023, and covers Ronan City Council, schools, ag and business. Berl grew up on a ranch in Wyoming and earned a degree in English education from MSU-Billings and a degree in elementary education from the University of Montana. Since moving to Polson three decades ago, she’s worked as a substitute teacher, a reporter for the Valley Journal and a secretary for Lake County Extension. | November 12, 2025 11:00 PM
The Northern Rodeo Association held its finals for 2025 Oct. 30-Nov. 1 at the Majestic Valley Arena in Kalispell. The 50-year anniversary rodeo featured the top 10 finishers in each event competing to determine the 2025 year-end champions.
Several Mission Valley cowgirls and cowboys made the finals, with Trevor McAllister of Ronan named 2025 Bareback Bronc champion and his brother, Trapper, placing second. Trevor also won the average with 253 points on three rides. Younger brother Koy won the average in saddle bronc riding with 249 points on three broncs.
Abby Knight, Charlo, was sitting fifth in the standings coming into the finals. Local tie-down ropers Kyle and Craig Bagnell rode into the Majestic sitting third and sixth in the season standings. Polson bull rider Caden Fitzpatrick was sitting second in the bull riding by about $500 in winnings.
In addition to McAllister taking the bareback crown, other 2025 champions are:
Celie Rogers, Choteau, All Around Cowgirl for the fifth year
Kelly Murnion, Jordan, All Around Cowboy
Barrel Racing, Lisa Warfield, Helena
Saddle broncs, Colton Haase, East Helena
Tie-Down Roping, Quinn McQueary, Belgrade
Team Roping, Shawn Bird, Cutbank, header, and Chris Wright, heeler
Break-Away Roping, Molly Salmond, Choteau
Steer Wrestling, Justus Peterson, Dillon
Bull Riding, Kelly Murnion, Jordan
ARTICLES BY BERL TISKUS
Dirt flies for the groundbreaking of Mission Valley Ice Arena
The first shovels of soil marked the groundbreaking for the Mission Valley Ice Arena after ten to 12 years of fundraising.
Cruisin’ by the Bay brings classic cars to Polson
Smoke veiled the Missions, but it didn’t discourage car buffs from bringing their prized autos to Cruisin’ by the Bay, the Mission Mountain Cruisers’ annual show. Car lovers didn’t stay home either; they gathered and discussed their favorites, peeked at the engines, sometimes even looked at the suspension.
Ronan Pioneer Days offers plenty of Horsin' Around
Horsin’ Around was the theme for the 2026 Ronan Pioneer Days, held last weekend. While there were a few horses involved, there were lots of humans at play during the three-day event.