Mesalands gains expereience at CNRF

 The College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) concluded a week ago today in Casper, Wyo. For the first time in the programs history, the Mesalands Community College Rodeo Team was represented by three contestants.  Jeff O’Donnell, Jon Luse and Michael Bates all competed at the 2008 CNFR.

“Our team was represented well at the 2008 CNFR,” said coach C.J. Aragon.  “We would have liked to have done a little better, but the guys were competitive. Our team was really young this year, and they can use the experience to be even better next year.”

In the first round Mesalands Community College Rodeo Team members started strong. n the steer wrestling  Bates and  O’Donnell finished high in the standings with runs of 5.0 and 5.1 seconds respectively. Luse drew a tough horse and scored 54 points on his first ride.

In the second round two MCC cowboys ran in to some tough breaks. Luse received a no-score after judges said he missed marking his horse out of the chute. O’Donnell also had some tough luck after he missed his second steer.   Bates had a very good showing placing sixth in the second round with a run of 4.0 seconds.

In the third round O’Donnell turned in a time of 4.3 seconds in the steer wrestling.  Luse scored 64 points in the bareback riding.   Bates missed his third steer, missing out on a chance to qualify for the championship round.

“All three of our contestants at the CNFR worked hard all year to get there and we are very proud of their efforts this year,”  Aragon said.
Two Mesalands rodeo students were named as Academic All-Americans.   Luse and  Bates were recognized for their efforts in the classroom and in the arena.

“We are really looking forward to next year.  Two of our CNFR contestants are returning plus we have a really good recruiting class coming in.  We will be hosting the first rodeo of the new season Sept. 18 and 19th,”  Aragon said.
For the 2008-2009 season,

Mesalands  has received a verbal or written commitments from the following students:
l Clay Elkins—New Mexico Reserve All-Around Cowboy (tie-down, team roping, steer wrestling)
l Allen Charley—New Mexico (tie-down, team roping)
l Megan McCain—Alabama (breakaway roping, goat tying, barrel racing)
l Angela Stash—New Mexico (barrel racer)
l Haley Harris—Texas (breakaway roping, barrel racing)
l Gerald Johnson—New Mexico (bull rider, bareback rider)
l Charles Linton—South Carolina (bareback riding, bull riding, State Champion Saddle Bronc Rider)
l Robbie Morgan—Texas (tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc, bareback riding)
l Andrew Ortega—New Mexico (bull rider)
Chad Martin—Michigan (bull riding)
l Shane Meeres—Canada (State Champion steer wrestler, tie-down roping, team roping)
l Colby Smith—Pennsylvania (tie-down roping, team roping)
l Scott Nerlin—Montana (saddle bronc riding)
l Kim Musgrove—New Mexico (barrel racer, goat tier)
l Lachlan O’Neill—Australia (State Champion steer wrestler, State Champion saddle bronc, State Champion bull rider)
l Ethan Randall—Arizona (steer wrestler, team roper)
l Jacob Godinez—New Mexico (bull rider)
l Lane Wolfe—Canada (steer wrestler, tie-down roper, team roper)
l Caleb Gillard—New Mexico (bull rider)