Northern Lights College Intercollegiate Rodeo highlights successes

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — Northern Lights College (NLC) representatives presented the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) the highlights of its Intercollegiate Rodeo team and successes. 

According to NLC Foundation Executive Director Lindsey Borek, and Leanne Esau, manager of athletics, seven teams participated in the 2023 NLC Fall Rodeo. Of the 11 saddles awarded, four stayed in the Peace region.

“The PRRD is pleased with Northern Lights College’s presence in the region, offering relevant and accessible post-secondary education for Northern BC residents,” said the PRRD in a statement. 

NLC’s Casey Thompson became the bareback riding champion at the 2024 Canadian College Rodeo Finals (CCFR).

“The NLC Rodeo is a special event for the area that brings positive exposure, not just economically, but also to the students, spectators, and the region as a whole,” said the statement. 

According to NLC’s presentation, in the 2021-2022 season, the team had 17 athletes, 10 of which qualified for finals and three champions. 

In the 2022-2023 season, NLC had 18 athletes, 10 qualified finalists, and one champion. 

This year (2023-2024), the college produced 29 athletes, 13 qualified finalists, and two champions. 

“Every year, we’ve come home with titles of the Canadian championships,” said Borek.

The NLC representatives explained their athlete recruiting process, which involves working hard and getting the message out with responsive programming so students come to the college to learn and pursue their passions.  

“What we are really trying to do is make it so students who want to come to NLC to learn also get to do what they love,” said Borek. 

Dawson Creek Mayor Darcy Dober also released a statement thanking the college for its work and emphasizing the importance of events like this to the community. 

“NLC is such an asset to our community, and they go above and beyond, day in and day out, to make our community a better place,” said Dober. 

Borek says the team’s next rodeo is on September 28th and 29th.