CLARKS GROVE — As a senior at the University of Minnesota-Crookston, Matt Koch decided he wanted to try something he’d never done before. For an extracurricular credit, he joined the school’s rodeo team.

Since then, he has continued to participate in the sport for the last 10 years.

Koch received his pro card for steer wrestling from the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association in 2004 and has traveled all over the United States for competitions.

Koch is happy to say he has had some success in rodeo and made the circuit finals in 2008 and also a ranking in the top 30 in the country during the finals in Waco, Texas.

“It’s a good challenge to see where you’re at in your own level of competition,” Koch said.

Koch said now that he’s been doing it awhile he doesn’t get very scared when he jumps off his horse to wrestle a steer because he usually is in the moment and he doesn’t have much time to think about what he’s doing.

When he first started though, he said it was pretty nerve-wracking, especially with a big crowd at big competitions.

Koch said he started out doing about 60 rodeos a year and now has cut it down to about 40. He said he and his wife, Missy, and some of their friends will travel throughout the five-state area to compete in three to four rodeos per weekend during the summer.

He said things have become more hectic now that the Koch family has a 5-month-old baby named Ella, but with the support of their families, they are able to make it work.

Koch even took Ella for a ride on a horse on Christmas Day since it was so nice outside.

Koch said Missy has been very supportive of his hobby, especially since she is the 4-H coordinator for Mower County.

Part of what makes the weekend rodeo trips so exciting for the family is that they get to see different parts of the country while they’re doing it.

In May, Koch will be offering classes to anyone who is interested in learning how to wrestle steers and do other aspects of rodeo. He will teach the class with a friend and full-time rodeo participant, Nick Guy of Sparta, Wis.

By the way, instead of starting off trying to wrestle a live 500 pound steer, students will practice with a fake one.