WT Rodeo Off to a Fast Start in New Region as Season Begins

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — West Texas A&M University Rodeo athletes have already begun dominating its new region after the first two contests of the season.

Ten WT rodeo athletes advanced to the short round at the Frank Phillips College Rodeo, held Sept. 25 to 27 in Canadian, and five qualified for the short round at the season’s first contest, the Eastern New Mexico University College Daze Rodeo, held Sept. 18 to 20 in Portales, New Mexico.

“We had more WT athletes in the short round at Frank Phillips than in any rodeo that I can remember,” said coach Cody Joe Bonds. “They are using our new region as a platform to shine, and I am proud to coach such a strong set of athletes.”

WT and eight other area schools were assigned to the new Caprock Region during a National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association meeting at the College National Finals Rodeo in June.

At the Frank Phillips rodeo, WT athletes scored highly across the board:

• Kaiden Stricklen, a freshman agricultural business and economics major from Durant, Oklahoma, placed second in the long round and fifth in the short round and in the average in breakaway roping. She also was named the reserve champion in the women’s all-around.
• Weston Peters, a senior agricultural business and economics major from San Antonio, placed second in the average and first in the short round in tie-down roping.
• Tori Huddleston, a junior health sciences major from Childress, placed first in the long round in barrel racing, sixth in the short round and fourth in the average.
• Dallee Robison, a freshman animal science / pre-vet major from Stephenville, placed fourth in the short round and in the average in goat tying.
• James Colvin, a junior agricultural business and economics major from Uvalde, placed second in the long round and sixth in the short round and in the average in steer wrestling.
• Stricklen and Heath Harkins, a freshman agriculture major from Beeville, were ninth in the short and in the average in team roping.
• Corbin Nix, a freshman agriculture major from Hugoton, Kansas, and Karsen Collier, a freshman equine industry and business major from Happy, were 10th in the short and the average in team roping.
• Justin Wright, a senior agribusiness major from Walsh, Colorado, placed 10th in the short and in the average in steer wrestling.
• Henry Jones, a freshman agricultural business and economics major from Spur, placed 10th in the short and the average in tie-down roping.

Overall, the women’s team finished fourth and the men’s team finished seventh.

Students also performed well at ENMU’s contest:

• Madison Clark, a graduate student in agricultural media and communication from Canyon, placed fourth in the short round and in the average in breakaway roping.
• Robison placed seventh in the short and eight in the average in goat tying.
• Colvin placed eighth in the short round and in the average in steer wrestling.
• Ruy Martinez, a freshman agribusiness major from La Vernia, tied for seventh in the short round and placed eighth in the average in team roping. Martinez roped with Maysa Schiffner from New Mexico Junior College.
• Huddleston placed ninth in the short and in the average in barrel racing.

The team next will compete Oct. 23 to 25 at the New Mexico Junior College Rodeo in Lovington, New Mexico.

WT’s rodeo team is an example of the University’s responsiveness to the Texas Panhandle, as outlined in the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign has raised more than $175 million and will continue through 2025.

About West Texas A&M University

A Regional Research University, West Texas A&M University is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. A Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, WT boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. WT recently earned a Carnegie Foundation classification as a Research College and University. The University also is home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 16 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

Photo: Tori Huddleston, a junior health sciences major from Childress, rides to a ninth place finish in barrel racing at the Eastern New Mexico University College Daze Rodeo, held Sept. 18 to 20 in Portales, New Mexico. Huddleston improved to fourth during the Frank Phillips College Rodeo, held Sept. 25 to 27 in Canadian.

—WT—