Mission student signs with Bobcat rodeo team
Linda Sappington
Mission High School senior Will Powell signs a letter of intent Thursday, joining the Montana State University rodeo team on a four-year scholarship. Seated with Powell are, left, Matt Young, Mission High School shop teacher and Tech Club advisor; and Beau Clark, right, Bobcat rodeo assistant coach.
Linda Sappington
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ST. IGNATIUS — Will Powell was only 7 years old when he learned to team rope. By age 9, he was team roping competitively, adding calf roping and steer wrestling — “chute dogging” —during his high school rodeo years.
The Mission High School senior is set to graduate June 6. Will signed a letter of intent Thursday for Montana State University’s rodeo team that includes a four-year scholarship; when he’s not on his horse, he’ll be studying business management.
MSU assistant rodeo coach Beau Clark said Will is a standout in the state and one of the highly sought-after recruits in the nation.
Clark knows star quality when he sees it. The former MSU football player went on to make rodeo his career, earning a 2012 trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and placing 13th in the world in steer wrestling.
“Will is one of the biggest rodeo recruit stars that this state has had in a long time,” Clark said. “I’m extremely excited that he’s coming to Bozeman.”
Mission High School principal Jason Sargent agrees Will is one of the top recruits, “but he’s also one of the finest young men I know,” noting Will’s leadership qualities that have increased school pride and student involvement. With Will’s help, the school’s progress with the Montana Behavior Initiative program has been recognized with a bronze and a silver award the past two years.
“This year, we’re going for gold,” Sargent said.
Bringing home the gold for Bobcat Rodeo is one of Will and Clark’s goals. The current men’s team is sitting in second place in the Big Sky Region standings. Because Will can score points in all three events, when he joins the team his skills can tip Bobcat Rodeo toward a national championship.
Yet Will’s education is equally important, Clark said.
“The doors are open now, but the big picture is that with a business degree, Will is set for success down the road,” Clark said, adding advice for the new recruit: “Keep maturing, use rodeo to compete, get your degree and finish school.”
