Lakeland College is proud to announce that two members of the Lakeland alumni family - Scott Guenthner and Kolby Wanchuk - will head to Las Vegas next month to compete in the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR).

Scott Guenthner goes after a steer during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

Guenthner, a livestock production alumnus, will compete in steer wrestling for the fourth time in his career. He finished the regular rodeo season in 7th place with $74,953.

“It's a dream come true,” says the Class of 2011 alum. “It's everyone's dream and it's not an easy goal to make. The first time is, of course, a huge deal, but even after, it's a big deal. It's still hard work, it isn't an easy road. Every day, you just have to grind through it. And then you get there and it's the best of the best. The first night you ride into the arena, the hair on the back of your neck stands up - it's so loud.”

Guenthner will be joined at the NFR by Wanchuk, who has made it to the finals for the first time in his career. He competes in saddle bronc riding and finished the season in 8th place with $86,859.

“It's tough to say what the most exciting part is going to be,” says Wanchuk, Class of 2017 heavy oil and power engineering alumnus. “The bright lights are a whole different experience. It's the best bucking horses in the world, the loudest crowd in the world, and I'm going to have a lot of family and friends coming down. I'm really looking forward to the entire experience, it's like no other rodeo. And I'd also like to thank Lakeland College and the Lakeland rodeo team for all the great practices and lessons that were learned in the Rustlers arena."

Kolby Wanchuk competes on a bronc during the Wranglers National Finals Rodeo.

It's the first time Guenthner will be competing alongside a fellow Lakeland graduate and he's excited about what his and Wanchuk's accomplishments say about Lakeland's rodeo program.

“It just goes to show that you can still make it to the NFR without going to the United States for school,” Guenthner says. “You can stay in Canada, close to home, attend a Canadian college, and still make it to the world finals.”

“It has been great to watch their journey from college students running steers and riding broncs in our Equine Centre, to living their dream on the most prestigious rodeo stage in the world,” says Geoff Brown, Lakeland's dean of agricultural sciences.

“Both Scott and Kolby were culture builders on the Lakeland Rustlers Rodeo Team and they serve as great examples to our students with regard to what is possible with hard work and dedication. There aren't many Canadian college rodeo programs that can say they have two alumni competing at the NFR. That's pretty cool.”

Kolby Wanchuk (left) and Scott Guenthner (right) in front of a bucking shute at the NFR in Vegas.

The NFR is the world's richest and most prestigious rodeo. The top 15 contestants in the world in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding compete to take home their share of a multi-million dollar purse. The event runs Dec. 2 - 11.

Photos submitted: Top-Scott Guenthner goes after a steer during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Middle-Kolby Wanchuk competes on a bronc during the Wranglers National Finals Rodeo. Bottom-Kolby Wanchuk (left) and Scott Guenthner (right) in front of a bucking shute at the NFR in Vegas.