Bareback horses by summer and wrestling mat by winter. In and out of the arena, Cole Gerhardt is a cowboy and a stand-out competing all-around athlete.
The young man ended the high school rodeo year as the 8th place bareback rider after the dust settled at the National High School Rodeo Association finals.
What’s helping the versatile and all-around cowboy by way of New Salem, North Dakota to the winner’s circle? “Well, it’s pretty simple,” says Cole Gerhardt, “the support I have surrounding me helping with the rough stock end of the arena to the roping chutes and all the way back to the wrestling mat.”
Gerhardt has hit the hot seat many times throughout his junior high and high school rodeo career. This past winter he reached yet another peak outside of the arena. He was crowned the Class B 138-pound State Champion Wrestler, his fourth state championship.
Traveling with his family, the high school senior won the NDRA Men’s All-around title as well as the Bareback riding state championship in the fall of 2022. Gerhardt competes in four events: bareback riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping and team roping. He also adds boy’s cutting at the high school rodeos. Whatever event it may be, his dad – Lance, brother – Clay and mother – Tina– are at every rodeo helping saddle horses, get behind the chutes, or support him on the wrestling mat all season.
“I’m so thankful for all the support I’ve had getting me to this point of rodeo. From David and Sheila Berg, Russ and Kami Kling, Jeff and Eva Hepper, Steve and Barb Waagen, Shane, and Coy Gunderson for all the horses and coaching they have provided in the bareback riding. Mat Wagoner helps me behind the chutes too.”
David Berg, a former North Dakota bareback rider, dad to two PRCA breakaway ropers and all-around rodeo supporter sees a bright future for Gerhardt. “Where do I even start when talking about Cole? You just don’t see this kind of determination and he wants to get a better attitude every day. He is such an athlete, but he listens, and he executes. It’s easy to teach kids like Cole-he never doubts and is a blank canvas absorbing every instruction that is given and just does it,” said Berg.
The cowboy also couldn’t be competitive without the four legs underneath him in the timed events. “I lost my heeling horse in eighth grade and Dan and Lori Reis provided me with a great horse named Spur. The Reis family has helped my journey so much, for so long” added Gerhardt. Dan Reis, Bismarck, North Dakota, is a long time supporter of junior high and high school rodeo in ND, as well as a business man and family friend of the Gerhardts’ who has watched Cole grow up and continue to improve his skills.
Gerhardt jumps off of a bulldogging horse that came by way of South Dakota but was previously owned and trained by Tyler Schau of Almont. Schau has helped coach the young cowboy in the bulldogging event. The calf mare known as Rosie, is a family favorite. Rosie was started by Gerhardt and his brother, Clay, in junior high rodeos where they breakaway roped and ribbon roped on her, eventually finishing her in the tie down. The roan mare is 18 years old young. The Gerhardt family also has an upcoming rope horse stallion that Gerhardt swings a leg over. ‘Tex’ is by Smooth Guy and a grandson of Texas High Dasher.
When it comes to wrestling, the gritty Morton County resident doesn’t back down. Holding a four-time state championship record on the North Dakota high school mats, Gerhardt explained that his coach for the Holsteins, Dave Wolding supports him in the gym and when he travels to the rodeos.
“The excitement and crowds at the NDRAs, the match bronc ridings to the high school rodeos are great. Getting to make memories throughout the years of junior high, high school, Rough Rider Rodeos and now the NDRA’s with my family is special to me. Being behind the chutes with these elite riders is huge,” stated Gerhardt.
The New Salem senior year has a goal to win as many All-around titles as he can, and recently signed on with Montana State University. The future Bobcat plans on a business degree or is leaning towards education and coaching.
“Determined, he is determined to make it to the big time. I don’t even know where to begin when it comes to Cole’s attributes, but he is kind, sweet and always smiling. His determination and personality are one of a kind” added Dan Reis.
Gerhardt is grateful for all the support he has received, from the Bubel’s providing calves to practice on, to his uncle Dallas and aunt Krissy Gerhardt and his grandparents: Fred & Rochelle Urlacher and Larry & Bernie Miller. With his cousins, Cash and Cooper Gerhardt, following in his footsteps on the mat and in the arena, as well as many other youth; this young gentleman is sure to make the northern region proud wherever the rig takes him.
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