Garrett Nokes, a 2005 qualifier to the Wrangler NFR in steer wrestling and rodeo coach at Mid-Plains Community College, was hospitalized after a horse accident the school’s practice facility in late January. Nokes had been kicked in the head resulting in a skull fracture, along with other injuries, that landed him in the ICU.
After being released from the hospital post surgery, Nokes passed away suddenly this past weekend.
Nokes was a talented all-around cowboy who competed at the professional level in tie-down roping, steer wrestling and team roping. In his six years at Mid-Plains Community College, he built the rodeo program from a club team to a Great Plains Region competitor alongside roughstock coach Dustin Elliott.
“Garrett’s strong work ethic was second to none,” Mid-Plains President Ryan Purdy told the McCook Gazette. “He led by example and held high expectations for his student-athletes to do the same. Garrett will be missed, but the impact he had on people both inside and outside of the rodeo arena will live on through them forever.”