October 6, 2014
The Mesalands Community College Rodeo Team recently competed in their second rodeo of the season at Cochise College in Douglas, Arizona. The Men’s Team finished in third place with 320 points and brought home two championship titles in tie down roping and bareback riding.
Freshman Chace Valdez of Estancia, NM had another strong rodeo in Douglas. Valdez came in second in the first round, second in the short round and finished first in the average in tie down roping. This will be his second consecutive championship title this season. Also, in tie down roping, Chance Stucker was fourth in the short round and took sixth in the average.
“The rough stock competitors definitely turned it around at this rodeo,” said Tim Abbott, Interim Intercollegiate Rodeo Coach at Mesalands Community College. “We saw more of what we expected to see in the rough stock events. They did a very good job in Douglas.”
Sophomore Edmiles Harvey of Tsalini Springs, AZ took first in the second round and in the average of the bareback riding event, winning his first championship title of the season at Cochise College.
Sophomore Adriano Long finished second in the average in the bull riding event.
Sophomore Devyn Sisneros of Santa Rosa took fourth place in the average in saddle bronc riding.
Coach Abbott said that the Women’s Team had a rough rodeo at Douglas. He said that they will be working hard to improve at the upcoming Mesalands Rodeo competition.
The Mesalands Rodeo Team will be competing at home next weekend at the 7th Annual Mesalands Community College Intercollegiate Rodeo, October 10-11, 2014 at the Quay County Fairgrounds.
“Expectations at the Mesalands Rodeo will remain high, because I know the talent level that we possess on this team,” said Coach Abbott. “ It is a unique challenge when you host a rodeo, because you are not only there as a competitor, but you are there to put on the rodeo as well. That can add to distractions. But I think our team is ready mentally, where we can handle that pressure. We will be prepared for that situation and I still expect to have individual event champions and also a team championship title.”