Posted: Nov 15, 2017
Thr Rodeo team recently competed in their last rodeo of the Fall at the Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Arkansas and although they didn’t have the best rodeo they made some great improvements.
Trevor Dorris heeled his steer behind former TRC rodeo team member now attending Murray State Tyler Cook. Tyler turned his steer to win the round and Trevor roped his to win the round, but as they were getting their ropes tight to get the flag, the steer slipped one of his hind legs out and they got a p5 second penalty added to their time. They would've ended up winning first or second place in the long round but the 5 second penalty hurt them and they would end up finishing in 12th just 2 spots out of the short go round. "Trevor hasn’t had many chances to throw his rope this semester, but when he got his chance, he let it go to win which would've worked if he could have kept the hind leg in it. I look for Tyler and Trevor come back next semester and start winning a lot."
The girls fell a little short in the rodeo as they drew tough assignments. Madison Steele and Meleah Lester both caught their calves fast enough to make the short go, but the rope didn’t fall over the calves nose. The rope has the be tight around the calves neck when it breaks away from the saddle horn to count and there loops stayed up around the calves eyes. "Although the weekend didn't go as planned for any of the girls, they have been working hard and I have no doubt that when we return in the Spring, they will be prepared and know now what it takes to win at our college rodeos and will adjust to it over the winter and come back prepared to win."
Christian Cox was the Bull Riding Champion at the SAU stampede as he was the only man to ride his bull in the second round. That ride tied him with Joe Phillips for the number 3 spot in the region for the semester. "All of these guys had little kinks that they needed to fix when we started the semester and have worked hard to correct those things and it is my hope that if they keep working on them over the winter and to get their bodies to react to the bulls without thinking about it. I know these guys eat, sleep, and drink bull riding so there is no doubt Christian, Joe, and Dalton will continue working along with going and competing at many bull ridings around the Poplar Bluff area and also at many bull ridings out of state as well this winter and be riding excellent come spring time."
Now the team will focus on taking care of the classroom and getting caught up if they are behind and finishing the Fall semester strong.
The Rodeo Team will be raffling off 2 whole slabs of beef starting this month. A raffle ticket will cost $10 and will enter you at a chance for each side of beef. Also everyone can see our team behind Santa Clause at the Christmas Parade on December 1st in downtown Poplar Bluff which is always a fun time. For more information you can email Coach Chad Phipps at cphipps@trcc.edu
The rodeo team would also like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and a very happy holiday season.