Tomahawk’s Mya Pankow wins 2025 Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo Queen title

For the Tomahawk Leader

MERRILL – Mya Pankow, of Tomahawk, was recently named the 2025 Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo Queen.

Pankow earned the recognition on Sunday, June 9 at the Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo in Merrill.

Madilynn Skic, of Gleason, earned the Rodeo Princess title.

The Rodeo Queen is selected based on performance in several areas: riding and horsemanship, public speaking, interviews, rodeo knowledge, poster creation and rodeo ticket sales.

In the upcoming year, Pankow and Skic will represent the Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo and the rodeo sport at various Midwest rodeos and local community events.

Pankow has been riding since she was three years old. She started barrel racing and pole bending in 2014 and in 2020 was named the Wisconsin Barrel Horse Association District 4 Outstanding Youth.

In 2022, she joined the Wisconsin High School Rodeo Association, expanding her events to include barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping and team roping.

Pankow also runs her own horse training and riding lesson business, Ascent Equine.

Pankow is a senior in Wausau Area Virtual Education. After she graduates in Dec. 2024, she will attend Five Star Horseshoeing School in Oklahoma to become a farrier, certified by the American Farrier’s Association. In Aug. 2025, Pankow plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and earn a bachelor’s degree in equine science while continuing to compete in rodeo.

Skic is a senior at Merrill High School. She participates in Future Farmers of America, showing market animals and horse judging.

After graduation, Skic plans to attend Fox Valley Technical College to study farm business and production management.

“I am passionate about the equine and rodeo industries and think that an encouraging, knowledgeable and welcoming role model, such as a rodeo queen, is important in growing the sport and encouraging people to participate as competitors or spectators,” Pankow said.