Two members of the Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team have been recognized at the national level for academic achievement.

They are Dalton Kunkee, of Lexington, and Kalyn Nielsen, of Verdigre. Both were named as 2022 Scholar American recipients by the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association.

鈥淲e are extremely proud of these kids and the work they put in both in and outside of the arena,鈥� said Aukai Kaai, roughstock coach for the 黑料大事记 Rodeo Team. 鈥淲e preach how in the term 鈥榮tudent athlete,鈥� the student part comes first in all aspects. These kids have proven that.鈥�

Wyatt Clark, 黑料大事记 Rodeo Team timed events coach echoed those sentiments.

鈥淚鈥檓 very proud of these returning 黑料大事记 athletes鈥� hard work in the arena and in the classroom,鈥� said Clark.

The honor was bestowed on NIRA members who earned points at a 2020-21 NIRA-sanctioned rodeo, had been in college for more than one term, earned a 3.5 cumulative grade point average and were nominated by their rodeo coach.