On Sept. 19, the season for Tarleton State University rodeo teams began. The men and women’s teams traveled to Portales for the Eastern New Mexico University rodeo. Both teams finished reserve champion.

Taking home first place in their individual events were Colton Miller, Richmond Champion, and Jaime Barrow.

Miller won the Saddle Bronc Riding with a total of 180 points. He also won the long round with a 78-point ride and had a 67-point ride in the short round. Miller is currently the Southwest Region leader.

Two team members placed in Bareback Riding. Champion, a 2013 College National Finals Rodeo qualifier and the current Southwest Region champion bareback rider, took home first place honors while Shon Gibson finished fifth. Champion had a total of 165 points. He had a 67-point ride in the long round and a 75-point ride in the short round. Gibson scored a 66 in the long round and a 60 in the short.

Bringing home reserve champion in steer wrestling was Samuel Williams, with a total of 120 points. He had a time of six seconds in the long round and a time of 5.3 seconds in the short round. His average of 11.3 seconds earned him second.

The third person to bring home first place honors was Jaime Barrow in barrel racing. Barrow, a 2013 CNFR qualifier, had a time of 17.5 seconds in the long round and won the short round with the same time. Her average time of 35 seconds and 150 points earned her the champion title. Shaylee Williams also competed in barrel racing and finished third with a long round time of 17.43 and a short round time of 17.82. She had an average time of 35.25 and 100 total points.

Placing in breakaway roping were Kortni McConnell and McKenna Wagner. McConnell finished fifth and Wagner finished in a tie for sixth. McConnell roped her first calf in 2.9 seconds and her second calf in 12.7 seconds. Wagner roped her first calf in 2.9 seconds also, but wasn’t able to get the second calf.

In goat tying, two Tarleton rodeo members placed. Baili Collins finished the long round in 8.4 seconds and the short round in 9.3 seconds. Her total points of 90 and average time of 17.7 earned her third place. Finishing sixth was Meaghann Winkler. She finished in 8.5 seconds in the long round and 9.3 seconds in the short, ending with 60 total points.

The rodeo teams are off this coming weekend, but will travel to Vernon on October 3-5 for the Vernon College rodeo.