Wisconsin contestants shine at 2025 Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo

The Lincoln County Pro Rodeo Association announced top results from the three-day Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo, held June 6–8 at the Merrill Festival Grounds. The event drew competitors from across the country, but Wisconsin contestants—and those with local connections—held their own in several key events.

Barrel Racing
Katie Chism of Tiskilwa, Ill., claimed first place with a time of 17.48 seconds and earned a purse of $1,865.43. Chism is the wife of former Merrill resident Kasey Chism.
Kristen Meyer of Clintonville secured second place with a time of 17.87, taking home $1,598.94.
Mackenzie Haas of Knapp finished fifth with a time of 18.06 and a payout of $888.30.

Sandi Brandli of Mauston placed eighth with a time of 18.14, earning $355.32.
Tied for ninth, Danyelle Hovland of Maiden Rock clocked in at 18.16 and won $222.07.

Team Roping
Dylan Breitsprecher of Tomah was part of the first-place team with a time of 5.9 seconds, earning $1,894.57.
Morgan Stege of Shullsburg helped secure a fifth-place finish with a time of 8.7 and a purse of $587.97.

Brian Grunenwald represented Wisconsin on the sixth-place team with a time of 10.7, earning $326.65.

Steer Wrestling
Garrett Stevens of Hammond took first place with a time of 5.0 seconds and earned a purse of $1,322.11.
Austin Schneider of Beetown placed fourth, clocking in at 8.6 seconds to take home $638.26.

Best All-Around Cowboy and Cowgirl

Contestants who compete in two or more events are eligible to be named All-Around Cowboy and All-Around Cowgirl. After all the scores were tallied, the 2025 Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo winner of the All-Around Cowboy award and winner of the annual Gary VanDerGeest Memorial Saddle was Chance Oftedahl of Pemberton, Minn., and the 2025 Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo winner of the All-Around Cowgirl award and winner of the annual Gary VanDerGeest Memorial Saddle was Kristen Meyer of Clintonville, Wis.

The year’s rodeo celebrated tough competition and strong performances from homegrown talent, proving that Wisconsin riders and ropers are a force to be reckoned with on the professional rodeo circuit.