April 29, 2016

The Mesalands Community College Rodeo Team hosted the Grand Canyon Region Intercollegiate Spring Rodeo last week at the Quay County Rodeo Arena. Mesalands reported a total of 284 attendees to the rodeo on Friday night and 334 on Saturday night. The Men’s Team won their second consecutive team roping championship title and took third place at the rodeo. The Women’s Team also finished the rodeo in third place.

Team ropers Jacob Rounds of Broadalbin, NY (header) and Koly Ray Spears of Lovington, NM (heeler) won first place in the average with a time of 18.5. Five out of the 10 team ropers in the short round, were from the Mesalands Rodeo Team. Clayton Torres of Bosque Farms, NM (header) and Eddie Torres of Isleta, NM (heeler) were third in the average. Jesse Estill from Lovelock, NV (header) and Brady Jenkins from Chino Valley, AZ (heeler) ended the rodeo sixth in team roping.

“That’s what I’ve wanted out of my team ropers all year, because we easily have the best set of team ropers in the region,” said Mesalands Intercollegiate Rodeo Coach, Tim Abbott. “Our short round didn’t go like it should have in the team roping, but we’re definitely making progress.”

In tie down roping, Justin Stegall from Morristown, AZ won the long round by 1.3 seconds. He was 6^th in the short round and ended the rodeo fourth in the average with a time of 25.9. Chace Valdez from Estancia, NM placed third in the short round and sixth in the average in tie down roping, with a time of 26.8.

The Men’s Team had a hard time in the rough stock events last weekend. Kasey Baker from Cottonwood, CA continues to improve in the bareback riding event. He bucked off his first horse, but was second in the short round.

For the Women’s Team, Arianna Assini from Oracle, AZ, was second in the Women’s All-Around with 180 points. She also clinched the reserve championship title in goat tying with a time of 8.4 in the short round, and finished second in the average.

In breakaway roping, Sharli Macdonald from Camp Verde, AZ, was first in the long round with a time of 2.7 and Assini was second with a time of 2.9. Macdonald was fourth in the average and Assini sixth in the breakaway roping event.

“Obviously, we wanted to have a better short round than we did, but considering all the work our student athletes had to do at our home rodeo and all the distractions, I’m really pleased with how they performed,” said Coach Tim Abbott. “I also want to thank all of the faculty and staff that helped, because this rodeo wouldn’t be nearly the success it is without them. I know I’ve said this before, but I think everyone one of our rodeos continues to improve.”

The Mesalands Rodeo Team will be travelling to New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM this weekend, April 29-May 1, 2016, for their last rodeo of regular season.

 

 

Below are the current Grand Canyon regional standings:

Women’s All Around
5^th Place Ariana Assini

Team Roping (Header)
5^th Place Kyle Jurney
7^th Place Jacob Rounds
10^th Place Arianna Assini

Team Roping (Heeler)
5^th Place Wasey Carviso
7^th Place Koly Ray Spears
10^th Place Justin Stegall

Saddle Bronc Riding
3^rd Place Clayton Stremler
8^th Place Devyn Sisneros
10^th Place Ralf LeSueuer

Breakaway Roping
5^th Place Sharli Macdonald

Goat Tying
6^th Place Arianna Assini

Bull Riding
6^th Place Jake Carr