Men’s and Women’s Rodeo Finish in Top Five at SWOSU
By Shelbie Weeder on 04/11/2016
Clay Elliott claimed the Saddle Bronc Riding title this past weekend at the Southwestern Oklahoma State University Rodeo in Weatherford, Okla. —Photo by Dale Hirschman
Weatherford, Okla. — The Oklahoma Panhandle State University Rodeo Team had a consistent weekend all the way around at the Southwestern Oklahoma State University Rodeo held this past weekend in Weatherford, Okla. The women’s team finished in third place and the men finished in fifth place. Senior Clay Elliott was the lone Aggie to claim an event title when the dust settled on Saturday evening.
The ladies barrel racing consisted of three OPSU cowgirls in the short round. Leading the way was senior Kaylee Burnett. Burnett was consistent all weekend. She split second and third in the long round and was third in the short round to finish third in the average. Burnett was joined close behind by junior Randi Buchanan who was fifth in the long round and sixth in the short round. Senior Alex Micek also qualified for the short round in the barrel racing. Micek made two consistent runs, but was just out of the points.
Buchanan also qualified for the short round in the goat tying. Buchanan was 16.2 seconds on two head. Rounding out the weekend for the women was senior Kay Cochran who was 3.3 seconds in the long round of the breakaway roping.
At the bucking chutes senior Clay Elliott put on a show. Elliott was 79 points to win the long round and 84 points to win the short round for a total of 163 points on two head to claim the saddle bronc riding championship for the weekend. Elliott was joined by freshman Taylor Tupper. Tupper finished second in the short round and second in the average with a combined score of 131 points on two head. Staying at the bucking chutes sophomore Will Martin finally found his groove. Martin was 70 points in the long round followed by 75 points in the short round to finish second in the round and split second and third in the average. Martin was joined by senior Ty Pellam who covered two horses for 126 points to finish sixth place in the average.
At the timed event end of the arena, the Johnsrud brothers had another solid weekend in the team roping. Ben and Nathan were fourth in the long go with a time of 6.9 second and came back and were 7.9 seconds in the short round. The brother duo finished second in the short round and second in the average. They were joined by seniors Caleb Bullock and Shade Etbauer. Bullock and Etbauer were 6.2 seconds in the long round to split second and third. Bullock also qualified for the short round in the tie-down roping. He was 9.3 seconds in the long round to finish fifth in the round. Junior Ben Johnsrud also had a consistent weekend in the steer wrestling. Johnsrud was 12.9 seconds on two head to finish third in the average. Johnsrud was joined in the steer wrestling by junior Josh Frost. Frost was 6.1 seconds in the long round to split sixth in the round.
The Aggies will turn right around and hit the road this weekend as they head to the Fort Hays State University Rodeo to be held April 15-17. The team will have one week off before the final rodeo of the season which is to be held in Guymon, Okla. April 28-30.
Courtesy of OPSU, Wrangler Network contributor