Hello Hays! OPSU Rodeo Teams Take First
Jordan Muncy

Hays, Kan. — The Oklahoma Panhandle State University rodeo teams made their way to Hays, Kansas this past weekend for the final rodeo of the regular season of the Central Plains region. Weather ranged from pouring rain to wind to sunshine throughout the weekend, but one thing remained consistent: the Aggie competition. Both the men's and women's teams took home a first place title from the Fort Hays State University rodeo, making Craig Latham extremely proud. The points gained were crucial in assisting with the quest to Casper for the College National Finals Rodeo.

The championship round was held Sunday afternoon under the warm Kansas sun. Kicking off the short go was the bareback riding with one familiar Aggie, Seth Hardwick. A native of Idaho, he posted a second place ride in the long round and managed to use the horse drawn in the short go to secure a tie for fourth and fifth place in the aggregate with a total of 142 on two horses. Hardwick was the only Aggie in the bareback riding. The calf roping also only saw one Aggie back on Sunday — Brice Ingo. When the long round was in the books, Ingo finished in second place, an excellent position going into the short round. However, Ingo was forced to receive a no time after some tough luck on Sunday.

CONGRATULATIONS to Oklahoma Panhandle State University Men's and Women's Rodeo Teams! Pictured above left to right in front are OPSU President Dave Bryant; OPSU Rodeo Coach Craig Latham; Troy Crowser; Jesse Britton; Jessie Suazo; Jordan Muncy; Shancee Howell; Cody Hessman and Jesse Larsen. Back row left to right, Weston Taylor; Tyrel Larsen; L. D. Meier; Tyrell Ouellette; Seth Glause ; and Tyler Jolly. — Laura Hays photo

Three names off the OPSU roster were found on the list of breakaway ropers in the short go, two seniors and one freshman. Jessie Suazo, the freshman from Bayfield, Colorado, consistently roped both of her calves for a solid fifth place finish in the average. Becky White and Shancee Howell, both competing in their last Central Plains rodeo, also qualified for the short go. White gained a second place finish in the long round, but a no time in the short go forced her out of the average. After winning the long round, Howell earned a time on her second calf, leaving her in seventh place overall.

As usual, the Aggies represented their school and Craig Latham well in the saddle bronc riding event. Coming out on top was Troy Crowser with a total of 159 on two head. Teammate Tyrel Larsen finished second, close behind Crowser. Seth Glause managed to ride both of his broncs good enough for a fourth place finish, and rounding out the team was Justin Hegwer in fifth and Whit Peterson in sixth. Half of the cowboys in Sunday's short round of saddle bronc riding hailed from OPSU.

The men's team continued to be represented well in the steer wrestling. L. D. Meier and Tyrel Ouellette each threw both of their steers with extreme consistency. Each of the young men have regularly made championship rounds throughout the season. In Hays, Meier finished sixth and Oullette seventh. The final men's event was the bull riding, were Seth Glause found his name on a list of just seven qualified rides. Glause failed to make the eight seconds in the short round, but still took a second place finish, proving just how rank the bulls were.

After making their runs in the breakaway, Shancee Howell and Becky White had to regroup and prepare for the goat tying. Howell finished second in the long round, but was forced to take a no time in the short go, removing her from the average. White posted a blistering fast run in the short go, leaving her in second place overall, behind teammate Jordan Muncy, who tied for first in the long round and placed first in the short round. Muncy also qualified for the short round in the barrel racing, where she finished second overall, helping her earn the women's All-Around title. Jessie Suazo also made the short go in the barrel racing, earning a top ten finish.

Another season is in the books for the Central Plains region. Hays, Kansas, was the final stop before the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in Casper, Wyo. scheduled for June 13-19. Both the men's and women's teams made sure to do their part, working hard to take the regional team titles home. Regional results will be posted soon with the CNFR qualifiers listed.