More than horses, racing, or competition, the Cyclone Stampede is about one thing: family.

“The great thing about these rodeo kids is it’s not just a team, it’s a family,” the announcer said at Sunday’s Cyclone Stampede.

Put on by the ISU Rodeo and Cyclone Stampede clubs, this year’s Cyclone Stampede is Iowa State’s 53rd annual rodeo. It’s also the last in the nation that is entirely student-run.

“We do a lot of promotional stuff for them, but the Stampede — they coordinate that on their own,” said Jennifer Elliott, senior in agricultural and life sciences education and CALS student council president.

Along with being in charge of funding and coordinating, the club members are also responsible for the physical set-up and tear-down of the rodeo. On Friday, club members worked from eight in the morning to late into the afternoon setting up gates and fences for the event.

“It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it,” said Ethan Lantz, junior in agricultural business and Rodeo Club chairman.

A second-year member of Rodeo Club, Lantz was pulled into it by his friends — a story that many members of both the club and audience share.

Rachel Pietsch, senior in communication studies, and her friend, Austin Elm, were part of the audience on Sunday, cheering on their former classmates from Iowa Central. While Elm referred to himself as a “frequent flyer” at rodeos, Pietsch admitted that she wasn’t really there for the show.

“Seeing Iowa Central is the exciting part,” Pietsch said.

More than 50 spectators showed up to Sunday’s show, the third and final this weekend, and they treated each contestant with friendliness and support. Whether a contestant was thrown off in the first few steps or earned the highest score of the weekend, they walked out of the ring to the sound of cheers and applause.

Contestants came from colleges from across the Midwest, including a team from Iowa State for the first time in recent years.

“The last few years we haven’t had the interest or funds to do anything,” Lantz said. “This year, we’ve had a lot of interest.”

That increase in interest is largely due to the increase in size that occurred this year as well. From eight to ten active members last year, Rodeo Club is up to nearly 30 this year.

“We’re gonna’ have some trouble making sure that we get to know everybody’s name just right and everything,” Lantz said. “By the end of the rodeo, we’ll have it down pretty good.”