Rodeo has Successful Weekend in the Mud

By Shelbie Weeder on 04/18/2016

Hays, Kan. — The Oklahoma Panhandle State Rodeo Team had a very successful weekend at the rodeo in Hays, Kan. despite the muddy conditions. While the team was in Hays, they received about five inches of rain from Saturday morning until Sunday afternoon. The sloppy conditions did not seem to slow the Aggies down. The men’s team captured the team title and the women finished second. Senior Kaylee Burnett and sophomore Will Martin led the way for the Aggies. Both brought home the all-around titles.

Burnett had a weekend for the books. She won the barrel racing, placed in the goat tying, was crowned the women’s All- Around Champion, and the top hand for the weekend. The Fort Hays State University Rodeo team decided to give a saddle to the overall top hand of the weekend. Burnett got to make the muddy trip home with lots of points, money in her pocket and a brand new saddle.

Will Martin was 5.0 seconds to split the long round win in the steer wrestling, and he then came back and threw another one in the mud to finish fourth in the average. Martin was also 67 points in the long round of the bareback riding. He spurred on for 85 points to win the short round and finish second in the aggregate race just behind teammate Logan Patterson. Patterson, a senior, was 77 points to win the long round, 79 points to finish second in the short round, and was 156 points on two head to claim the event title. Senior Ty Pellam and freshman Dylan Riggins also qualified for the short round in the bareback riding. Staying at the bucking chutes Riggins finished sixth in the long round of the bull riding, he was joined by George Sims who finished fifth in the long round. Junior Josh Frost did not let the mud play a factor in his bull riding. Frost was 156 points on two bulls, which was enough to land him in second place in the average race.

Senior Shade Etbauer did not hesitate in the mud. Etbauer roped and tied his way into the number one spot in the tie-down roping. Etbauer was 11.1 in the long round and 11.2 in the short round for the win. He was joined by fellow senior Caleb Bullock and freshman Luke Meier. Both cowboys were in the 11 second range in the long round, but had some tough luck in the short round. Etbauer also qualified for the short round in the saddle bronc riding along with senior Clay Elliott and freshman Taylor Tupper. In the long round, Elliott was first, Etbauer split second and third, and Tupper was sixth. The trio however had some tough luck in the short round and failed to make the eight second whistle.

The breakaway roping was filled with a slew of red and blue vests. Leading the way was senior Jessie Jones. Jones was 8.4 seconds on two head to finish in fourth place. Jones was followed closely behind by senior Chaylie Hulme. Hulme was 9.3 seconds on two to finish in fifth place. They were joined by seniors Alex Micek and Shelbie Weeder. In the long round Micek was 3.6 seconds to split fourth and fifth, and Weeder was 3.7 second and placed sixth. The duo however faced some hard luck and failed to stop the clock in the short round.

The OPSU Rodeo team will regroup and prepare for their final rodeo, which happens to be held in Guymon, Okla. April 28-30. The team would like to encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the action. The performances with take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday evening and at 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon. There will also be slack held Friday and Saturday mornings. Be sure to grab next week’s paper for more information.

Courtesy of OPSU, Wrangler Network contributor