By Mandy Smith and Emma Ray
Staff Writers
The Northeast Texas Community College men¡¯s rodeo team is currently sitting third in the Southern Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association.
The top two teams from each of the 11 regions make it to the finals in Casper, Wyoming in June.
With two rodeos left in the season, the men¡¯s team is 758 points behind the second-place team, Sam Houston State University, and 1,120 points behind first place, McNeese State University. Head Coach Justin
Hampton said athletes from both the men¡¯s and women¡¯s teams are putting forth the effort to make it to the finals.
¡°Both teams are trying to finish strong at our last two rodeos of the 23-24 season to hopefully carry us into the College National Finals Rodeo,¡± Hampton said.
On the women¡¯s team, Jill White is sitting in eighth place in the breakaway roping, and Mackenzie Mayes is currently ninth in barrel racing. The top three individual athletes from each event also make it to the college rodeo finals.
Hampton said several members of the men¡¯s team are right on the verge of making it to Casper this summer.
¡°We are really excited to see the outcomes from our top point-gettters,¡± Hampton said. ¡°Kelon Andrews is in second place and is in a great position to make the College National Finals. Coy Evan has done a great job in both his events this year and is looking strong in the all-around as well.¡±?
Others rounding out the top three include Brennan Wilson. ¡°He has a great chance in the heading and the tie-down roping to be a part of the Eagle Team that heads to Casper June 9-15,¡± Hampton said.
The team travels to Wharton this weekend, and Hill College for the final rodeo of the season in April.