Northwestern's Cherokee Rodeo is a success, women's team wins

Hayden Pearce of Kim, Colo. won the tie-down roping event this weekend in Cherokee.

The Northwestern Oklahoma State University Ranger Rodeo team started its season off with a bang over the weekend in Cherokee, claiming the women’s team title and wins in three events at the first of two home rodeos.

Not only were the Rangers competing in the rodeo, members also were in charge of producing and running the entire production.  Team members will have the same responsibilities at their second home rodeo in Alva Oct. 30 through Nov. 1 at the Woods County Fairgrounds, but head rodeo coach Stockton Graves thinks the Rangers are up for the challenge.          

“I am really proud of my team members for all the hard work they put in all weekend,” Graves said. “Every one of our students showed up and did their jobs to keep the rodeo going.  Not only did they help produce a great rodeo, they showed up to win and that’s exactly what we are looking for.  We have a very strong team this year, and I am excited to see what they get done.

“I also want to thank the Alfalfa County Fair Board; a lot of them were there helping out and putting in a lot of extra time to keep the arena nice,” Graves said.

The rodeo competition was tough this weekend, Graves said, however, 10 Ranger athletes qualified for the championship round, and three of them did well enough to win their events.

A few members of the Northwestern rodeo team gathered at the end of the rodeo.

When not competing in the rodeo, every athlete had a specific job to do during the event.  These assignments ranged from sorting cattle to cleaning up trash after the event.

“The commissioner from NIRA (National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association), Roger Walters, was at our rodeo this weekend and gave us great feedback,” Graves said. “He couldn’t say enough about how professionally our rodeo was being run.  We also got plenty of compliments from students and coaches.”

Following is a list of Northwestern’s results from the weekend:

Calf Roping:  William Whayne, Tulsa, junior: 9.6 in the first round, second place. 11.4 In the second round, fourth place.  Third in the average. Hayden Pearce, Kim, Colo., senior: 9.4 in the first round, first place.  9.8 in the second round, first place.  First in the average.

Breakaway Roping:  Sage Allen, Pawhuska, freshman: 3.7 in the first round, ninth/10th place.  3.3 in the second round, third place.  Fourth in the average. Kelsey Driggers, Albany, Ga., junior: 3.5 in the first round, seventh/eighth place.  3.9 in the second round, fourth place.  Sixth in the average. Kylee Cahoy, Sheridan, Wyo., sophomore: 2.9 in the first round, first/second place.  No time in the second round.

Steer Wrestling: Michael McGinn, Haines, Ore., junior: 4.1 in the first round, first place.  5.1 in the second round, first/second place.  First in the average.

Goat Tying: Karley Kile, Overbrook, Kan., senior: 8.1 in the first round, 10th/11th place.  7.2 in the second round, third place.  Fourth in the Average. Lauren Barnes, Buckeye, Ariz., senior: 7.3 in the first round, second place.  6.7 in the second round, first place.  First in the average. Shayna Miller, Faith, S.D., junior: 7.2 in the first round, first place.  7.0 in the second round, second place.  Second in the average.

Barrel Racing: Elli Price, Leedey, junior: 15.61 in the first round, seventh place.  20.82 in the second round with the 5 second penalty for a knocked over barrel.

Northwestern’s rodeo team will be in action next at Pratt, Kan. Oct. 3-5.

-NW-