FVCC student places in national team roping finals

Local team roper Levi Higa didn’t come home empty-handed at the Wrangler National Team Roping Finals in Billings Sept. 24-29.

The Flathead Valley Community College electrical technology student finished fourth in the Fast Back No. 8 Handicap division and walked away with $2,000, a saddle and buckle. Team roping is a sport where a team of riders attempts to catch a calf as fast as possible by one rider roping its head and the other capturing its hind legs.

Higa and his partner, Eskie Heart, selected by random draw, snared a calf in 27.34 seconds, propelling them to the top of the 20-team field.

“I was just really excited to be there and to be in that position,” Higa said of his finish.

The 19-year-old, originally from Hawaii, rode a horse from Marsh Performance Horses in Huson, owned by Flathead Valley locals Travis and Kristi Bruyer. Higa said Marsh Performance Horses has been instrumental in helping him travel to compete in rodeo events. Higa has been rodeoing his entire life and started competing in Montana once he entered high school.