OPSU RODEO TEAMS CONTINUE TO SHINE: Women's Team Takes 2nd Place, Men's Team Secures 4th

The Oklahoma Panhandle State University Rodeo teams kicked off their 2023-2024 season and hit the ground running at their first rodeo event, hosted by Colby College in Kansas. The Women's Team dominated in Goat Tying, displaying remarkable speed and precision. Meanwhile, the Men's Team showcased their skills in Tie-Down Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, and Team Roping. In an impressive showcase of talent, grit, and determination, the OPSU Men's team secured a respectable 4th place finish, while the Women's team brought home an impressive 2nd place win.

The OPSU Women's Team demonstrated remarkable talent in Goat Tying. Parker McIntyre, a junior, set the bar high with a lightning-fast long round time of 6.8-seconds, splitting the win with teammate McKenna Brennan. In the short round, she maintained her speed, recording a time of 6.9-seconds, securing 2nd place in the short-go and winning the average. Mckenna Brennan, a senior, also had a strong showing with sharing the long round win with McIntyre, splitting 3rd and 4th in the short-go and overall placed 2nd in the average.

Kiley Slavin, a sophomore, couldn't let the upperclassmen have all the fun, so she posted a long round a 7.0-second run placing 3rd. Slavin was a little long in the short go and ended up 8th which put her 6th in average. Aby Black, a senior, made the cut for another run Sunday with a competitive long round run of 7.9- seconds, splitting 12th/13th, and improved in the short round, securing 7th place and jumped her up to 8th in the average. Kayla Johnson, a senior, joined Black with an underdog mentality going into Sunday's short go, but encountered tough competition in both rounds, ultimately securing 11th position in the short go and in the average.

Cooper Slavin represented Aggie Nation in the Tie-Down Roping, securing 3rd place with an impressive 10.5 second r in the long round. Unfortunately, a little tough luck left the lone Aggie with no-time in the short go taking him out of the average.

Brett Coffman, a senior, and Jaedyn James, a junior, were strong competitors in Saddle Bronc Riding. Coffman secured 2nd place with a remarkable performance, scoring 70-points in the long round. In the short round, he maintained his momentum, earning 67-points which placed him third in the round and in the average. James displayed his skill in the long round with 53 points, splitting 9th and 10th place. A no-score in the short round left James out of the average.

The OPSU Men's Team excelled in Steer Wrestling, with Ryler Allred, a senior, and Jack Cornwell, a freshman, making their mark. Allred impressed with a time of 5.2 -seconds in the long round, splitting 5th-7th. Cornwell joined Allred in that split of 5th-7th, but a no-time in the short go left him out of the game. In the short round, Allred delivered a time of 6.2-seconds, earning him 4th place in the short go and this jumped him up to 2nd in the average.

Tanner Meier from NWOSU partnered with Porter Hall, a freshman from OPSU, for Team Roping. They posted a run of 9.3-seconds in the long round, placing 8th. In the short go, the duo came up empty leaving with an applause from the crowd.

With the season off to such a strong start, our coaches are confidently looking to the season ahead. Shelbie Rose, OPSU's Women's Rodeo Coach, said "This was a strong start to our season. We've got a strong group of athletes that are willing to put in the work it takes to be the best. I'm proud of their performances this weekend, and we're looking forward to building on this momentum this season."

As the season progresses, the OPSU Rodeo teams will undoubtedly continue to demonstrate their dedication and talent, with the goal of achieving even greater success in the rodeo arena. This promising start sets the stage for an exciting and competitive season ahead, and fans can look forward to more thrilling performances from these talented athletes.