Oklahoma Panhandle State University Rodeo Teams Gear Up for 2010 CNFR
Jordan Muncy

Goodwell, Okla. — Through sun, rain, wind and snow, the Oklahoma Panhandle State University rodeo teams stopped at nothing to compete in the ten regular season rodeos of the Central Plains Region of the NIRA. Traveling throughout Kansas and Oklahoma, the teams saw their share of highs and lows, but in the end their hard work paid off, as several titles came home to OPSU when the dust had settled. Both the men's and women's teams walked away with regional team titles, providing them the opportunity to travel to Casper, Wyoming, June 12-19 for the CNFR.

The Central Plains region has long been known for the high level of competition. With 19 schools and 600+ student athletes participating at every rodeo, the region proves the largest of any other NIRA region. Because the cowboys and cowgirls compete at such a superb level throughout the entire regular season, the College National Finals Rodeo offers cowboys and cowgirls an opportunity to take a shot at winning a national title. Throughout history, countless national titles have been brought back to the Central Plains Region with many of those won by Aggies. Names such as Trell Etbauer, Taos Muncy, Erica Brown and Krista Johnson, just to name a few, have left their names in the history books as national champions. The men's and women's teams this year hope to continue the winning tradition, and make not only Coach Craig Latham proud, but the entire community as well.

The OPSU 2010 CNFR team includes in front, left to right, L. D. Meier; Seth Hardwick; and Tyrel Larsen. Standing in back left to right, Jordan Muncy; Jessie Suazo; Shancee Howell; Troy Crowser; Seth Glause; Weston Taylor; and Coach Craig Latham. — Laura Hays photo

For the first time in history, the women's team claimed a regional team title, which made the victory even sweeter. To date, the highest national ranking for the women's team remains third place (2008 CNFR). The women's team hopes that after nabbing the regional title, the momentum continues to the CNFR. Competing as a senior, in her last year as an Aggie and her first trip to the CNFR, Shancee Howell stated, "I just want us to go up there and do our best and have fun. I think that we have good girls in each event and a good variety of events, which gives us a good shot at a title. All of us girls going have a good attitude and we all want to succeed." The women competing at the CNFR include: Howell, a transfer from Garden City Community College, who will compete in the goat tying; Jessie Suazo, a freshman from Bayfield Colorado, who will compete in the breakaway roping as she makes her CNFR debut; and Jordan Muncy, a junior from Corona, N. M., is making her third trip to the Casper Events Center. She will compete in the barrel racing, breakaway roping, and goat tying.

The men's team, also regional team champions, has several returning members that bring experience to the playing field, while many new faces to the OPSU campus are excited to compete at the 62nd CNFR. Tyrel Larsen, originally from Manitoba, Canada, will compete in the saddle bronc riding along with Troy Crowser,, a native of Whitewood, S.D. Seth Hardwick, from Rigby, Idaho, makes his debut in Casper in the bareback riding; and also making his CNFR debut, Limon, Colo. native L. D. Meier will compete in calf roping. From nearby Perryton, Texas, Weston Taylor will compete in the steer wrestling event, and Seth Glause, who has already made a trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, will have a short commute from his home in Rock Springs, Wyo. to Casper to compete in the bull riding.

In order to qualify for the CNFR, team members competed individually and brought home some fantastic regional awards in addition to the two team titles. Winning the women's All-Around was Jordan Muncy, who also walked away as the regional barrel racing champion, thanks to her horse Smoke. In the saddle bronc riding, Troy Crowser walked away as the champion, while Tyrel Larsen took second, an exact flip of last year's regional awards, where Larsen placed first ahead of Crowser in second.

A couple of special awards were received on behalf of OPSU as well. The rodeo of the Year award was presented to OPSU after members of the region voted the annual Doc Gardner Memorial rodeo their favorite. It's a tribute to the members of the rodeo teams, along with Latham and the many sponsors that play such a key role in the outstanding production of the college rodeo.

Following a serious injury and a difficult recovery, Jordan Muncy's roping horse was named the Central Plains Horse of the Year. — Kara Hackney photo

 

Also, the women's Horse of the Year award was presented to an equine athlete that finds his stall in Goodwell, Oklahoma. RG First Class, a registered American Quarter Horse stallion better known as Studly, comes from the famous Freckles Playboy bloodline. He was bestowed the award after regional members from every school voted. Studly is used at every college rodeo by owner Jordan Muncy in the breakaway roping and heeling in the team roping behind Muncy's partner Chaney Latham. The award holds much meaning to Muncy as her beloved horse almost lost his life due to a terrifying accident. She purchased the horse just before she moved to OPSU, and in the spring of her freshman year, Studly was sent home for breeding purposes, where a mare kicked his right leg, resulting in a fracture. After surgery, the leg became infected, and Studly nearly lost his life. After much therapy including skin grafts, the seclusion of a box stall and thanks to Dr. Warren Franklin, Studly remained alive. Even after the worst of the storm, the likelihood of Studly ever being ridden, much less competing again was very slim. After nearly two years off, Studly has been named Women's Horse of the Year with this being his first full year of competition and he will also make the trip to Casper to compete at the 2010 CNFR.

After a year filled with hard work and dedication, the men's and women's rodeo teams found joy in winning team regional titles. However, their goals are not fully realized as they pursue both individual and team national titles. Competing at the College National Finals Rodeo is a lifelong dream for all rodeo athletes, and that dream has become a reality for many Aggie student athletes. The feeling of first riding down the long, tunnel to enter the arena, or climbing down into the bucking chute remains a feeling like no other. For nine Aggie cowboys and cowgirls, this feeling is nearly upon them.