Mission Valley cowgirls, cowboys compete at NRA Finals
BERL TISKUS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 months, 3 weeks AGO
The best 10 saddle bronc riders from the Northern Rodeo Association competed at the NRA Finals Oct. 30-Nov. 1 in Kalispell. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
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
Ronan City Council moves forward on police business, extends preliminary approval for subdivision
Ronan’s City Council dealt with lots of civic business at the July 22 meeting.
Tribal detectives and Polson police give overview of drug use in Lake County
Polson Police Chief George Simpson and Tribal Police Chief Couture partnered with two Tribal Police Drug Investigators, Will Mesteth and Vern Fisher, to provide an overview of drug trends in the community.
Standing Arrow Celebration brings dancers, drummers and visitors to Skookum Lane
The first grand entry of the 46th annual Standing Arrow Celebration was at 7 p.m. on July 18. The weather was sweltering, especially for dancers in full regalia. The powwow grounds had a new large tent for dancers to stand in as they waited to enter the dance arbor. Tarps attached to the arbor walls on the west side shielded spectators from the setting sun.