Monthly Archives: March 2026

The nice thing about it is both are still cowboy hats, so it wasn’t much of a stretch. Edler, a two-time College National Finals Rodeo qualifier from State Center, Iowa, graduated from Northwestern Oklahoma State University last May. Shortly thereafter, Rangers rodeo coach Cali Griffin hired him as an assistant. Now, Edler not only helps lead the rodeo team as a mentor, but he’s back in competition, earning another year of eligibility to his resume as he continues to battle in the sport he loves. He proved it over the weekend by winning the steer wrestling title at the Southeastern Oklahoma State University rodeo in Durant. “I wasn’t planning on rodeoing again this year, and then I decided to take the job as the assistant coach,” said Edler, who shared the first-round victory with a 4.0-second run, then stopped the clock in 4.9 seconds to win the final round and the aggregate title. “I decided to get my master’s degree and figured if I was going to be going to these college rodeos, I might as well be entered up and give myself one more chance at the college finals.” It’s working, both in the arena and out. He led the team in competition and guided the younger contestants when it wasn’t his time to shine. It paid off with 19 Rangers qualifying for the championship round in 21 positions – Riley Smith of Poteau, Oklahoma, and Payton Dingman of Pryor, Oklahoma, earned short-round bids in two events.