Malmend takes Top Prize at Craig Mangis Memorial

Emotions were as high as the flags when the lights came on at the Trafton Park Arena Saturday for the Craig Mangis Memorial Rodeo. One flag, in particular, had special meaning, having been handmade by Craig to honor the long tradition of cowboying on those very grounds.

Jerey McEwen, President of the Trafton Park Committee is the guy to blame for all of the excitement and emotion of the weekend's events. "I guess I was in the right place at the wrong time," he said. "I went in to start a softball tournament, and came out in charge of the arena," McEwan asked to form the committee and take over maintenance of the arena last September.

No one is complaining. "It's the best thing that has happened, to have them come in and take over and to see that arena be used for what it was intended for, and maintained and taken care of, it's just a joy to see." Mayor John Demarais said. McEwan has similar sentiments for working with the city: "At one point I realized we didn't have any trash cans right before an event. I made one call, and twenty minutes later those guys were down here. I know they appreciate not having to be out here pulling weeds anymore."

Jerey, and the group of volunteers and sponsors behind him, have made an incredible impact with their hard work and ability to just go out and get things done. Individuals and businesses alike have come together to make the rodeo grounds what they were intended for, the effect of which can be seen economically. Earlier this year, the arena saw 500 people show up to see the NRA /PRCA rodeo.

"I want to see Malta be a rodeo town again," explained McEwan. "A lot of people don't think about everything this sport can do for kids and all the schools that are giving out scholarships for it. Kids can go out and rodeo, get a good two to four-year education, and come out with no debt and the skills to make a good living right from the gate."

Craig Mangis, who passed away on May 27th made a huge impact on guys like Jerey. His love of the sport, of kids, and the lifestyle and community is well known throughout Phillips County and beyond. "To have an event in honor of Craig was a no-brainer," said McEwan "if we can't work to have a great event for a great man, we might as well cut our cinches and let go of the reins."

The events themselves, which included a barrel race on Friday and a Kid's Rodeo Saturday morning, had the crowd cheering. In the end, Calder Peterson came home with the top prize in Bareback Riding with a score of 66. Bailey Bench took home the Saddle Bronc Riding Buckle with a score of 61, and Cole Wagner won the Bull Riding competition with a high score of 77.

The Ranch Bronc event was the big barn-burner, with Tanner Solberg coming out with a first-round score of 83, Enos Miller at 69, Joe Marxer at 68, and Sam Malmend coming in 4th with a 67. Fifth place saw a three-way tie between Kolby Murray, Oren Mackey, and Devyn Campbell, each with a score of 64.

In the second round, the crowd's hearts were gripped in a different way as Oren Mackey suffered a devastating injury, and the Malta Emergency Medical Services crew jumped into action. You could feel the collective prayers go up as the EMS crew showed why they were recently chosen as Montana's finest. We are so lucky to have them.

It's a rough sport. McEwan puts a cowboy tough spin on it: "He's a tough kid. He got stomped on, he's had some surgeries, but with the excellent medical care and a few strawfulls of food he'll make a complete comeback."

The results of the second round of Ranch Bronc competition were: Devyn Campbell, NS; Kolby Murray, 60; Joe Marxer, 68; and Enos Miller, 71. Second place went to Tanner Solberg with a score of 77 and local fans cheered as Sam Malmend took the big buckle with a score of 82. The Mangis family also chose Malmend to take home the Top Hand Award.

McEwen sends out his thanks to the sponsors, stock contractors, and the crews in concessions, the crow's nest, and in the arena. "We already have plans in the works for next year," he says. "We are going to make the "CRAIG" an annual event that Phillips County can look forward to!"