I was in Jefferson City, Mo., Saturday on a little family get-away before I take a two-week rodeo trip to Dodge City, Kan., and Lovington, N.M.

Nine of us were enjoying time together in the state’s capitol when the texts about Broc Cresta’s death began coming in. The 25-year-old cowboy, who had qualified for the last two Wrangler National Finals Rodeos, died of unknown causes in his living quarters at the Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days Rodeo.

I didn’t know Broc, though I wish I had. We visited for about five minutes during the Timed Event Championship this past March, but that was my only opportunity to get to know the young man.

That few minutes, though, revealed an energetic, excited cowboy who seemed to love what he does. He was a tremendous all-around hand who was going to be a real contender for the Timed Event title for many years. Based on posts I’ve seen on various social media sites, he was much more than a rodeo hand.

Broc Cresta was a rising star in and out of the arena. He will be missed.