Fowler, Corkill advance to the College National Finals Rodeo

Two Fallon cowgirls will get one last opportunity to shine on college rodeo’s biggest stage next month.

Bailey Corkill and Olie Fowler qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo., June 9-15 after leading their UNLV squad to a first-place finish at the West Coast Regional Rodeo Finals last weekend in Las Vegas. Both Fallon grads have turned into two of the best cowgirls in the region with Corkill winning the all-cowgirl award previously and Fowler finishing this year as the best goat tyer.

“I was so excited and relieved that I made it my senior year,” Fowler said. “I had a terrible weekend so that was disappointing, but I came in with a pretty good lead. That was what saved me.”

Fowler finished atop the goat-tying standings with 787.5 points, 80.5 ahead of second.

She has more than a month to work out the kinks and finish on top in next month’s big event. Fowler plans on practicing as much as possible and revisiting particular techniques with goat tying.

“I plan to practice a lot and practice with different goats,” she said. “I have a mix of sizes and styles: some stand, some run and some kick. Hopefully, I can practice hard on them and be ready for whatever gets thrown at me in Casper.”

Fowler’s counterpart, Corkill, whose older brother competes on the professional circuit, qualified in team roping and is still seeking to finish as one of the top cowgirls in the country.

Corkill finished fourth as team roping header with 365 points, while the leading header racked in 666 points. She also finished ninth in goat tying but will compete in team roping at nationals after roping in last year’s event with her brother, Jade.

“It’s always nice to have familiar people by your side,” Fowler said. “Bailey and I have always been there for each other. We always want each other to succeed. That’s never changed.”

One former Fallon cowgirl fared well at the regional but didn’t merit an invitation to the CNFR.

Kayla Norcutt, who competes for Feather River, finished fifth in the all-around with 896.5 points after finished fifth in goat tying and seventh in breakaway roping.