Women's Rodeo Two for Two
By Jordan Muncy

Garden City, Kansas — With the spring season well underway, the Oklahoma Panhandle State University rodeo teams are wasting no time in their quest for a team championship. However, this spring season seems a bit different. Throughout the past, the Aggie men's team has left a huge impact on the college rodeo world. Winning multiple collegiate team and individual national titles, it's safe to say that the men's team is well-known. However, it's all about the women's team so far this spring season. First, they won the team title at the Kansas State University rodeo, and have now brought home the team title from the Garden City Community College rodeo. The women have started what could be an undefeated spring season.

The beautiful weather over the weekend in Garden City proved to be an excellent atmosphere for a rodeo. With the number of contestants sky high, the Central Plains region cowboys and cowgirls kicked the weekend off with a bang early Friday morning and continued until the short round on Sunday afternoon.

Two Aggie women qualified for the championship round of the goat tying, held at the Finney County Fairgrounds. First to perform was Becky White, a senior from Craig, Colorado. White's 7.7 second time in the long round slipped her into Sunday's performance with a three way split for ninth, tenth and eleventh. White was riding her great horse, Whiz.

Also making the short go was Jordan Muncy, who tied for first and second in the long round with a 6.8 second run and ended up first in the average. Muncy also qualified in the barrel racing event, where she took a second place finish in the average, helping her claim the women's All-Around title.

Several Aggies men qualified for the championship round of action. Ryan Hinton, who seems to be making his name known in the steer wrestling event, once again posted a great run in the long round. On Sunday, Ryan came back with a blistering run of 4.9 seconds, giving him a total of 10.1 on two, good enough for fourth place finish in the average and a third place finish in the short go.

Steve Lassen put on a bull riding clinic during Sunday's performance as anyone watching could have learned just how a fantastic bull ride should look. After qualifying for the short go in sixth place, Lassen's outstanding short go performance flew him up to a second and third place tie for the average.

No big surprise that the OPSU cowboys finished in first, second, and third in the long round of the saddle bronc. Winning the long round with a 77 was Seth Glause. Next, in second, was Troy Crowser, who managed to perform on his re-ride horse after taking a terrifying spill on his original horse, causing the crowd considerable suspense. In third, it was Tyrel Larsen, the Canadian native. Crowser walked away with the average title and Larsen ended up the reserve champion.

The teams do not have much time to re-group before making their way to the opposite side of Kansas this weekend for the Fort Scott Community College rodeo. Expectations remain high for both the men's and women's teams in their quest to qualify for the College National Finals Rodeo in June. Keep watching for more rodeo updates — Go Aggies!

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