Mesalands rodeo team places second at Navajo

The Mesalands Community College Men’s Rodeo Team placed second place at the Navajo Technical College rodeo in Crownpoint, April10-11. The Mesalands Women’s Team finished in fifth place.

“This was a great showing by both of our teams,” said Coach C.J. Aragon.

The Men’s team was led by freshman Clay Elkins. Elkins was crowned the All-Around Cowboy at the Navajo Technical College Rodeo after winning the steer wrestling average title and placing second in the team roping with Colby Smith.

Elkins is leading the Grand Canyon Region in the steer wrestling and is ranked in the top five in the National Standings. He is ranked third in steer wrestling.

The Mesalands Community College Women’s Team was led by fellow freshman Amber Miller. Miller placed in both rounds and finished fifth in the Average in the goat tying. Team mates Daphne Wehrs and Angela Stash also had strong showings in the goat tying and barrel racing respectively.

“Our women’s team had come a long way this year. We have four or five women who have been very competitive all year. With our returning women and our recruits coming in our team should do real well next year,” said Aragon.

In the steer wrestling event the Mesalands men’s team once again did very well. Elkins won the second round with a 4.4 second run, and the average title with 11.6 on two steers. Grady Gray also placed in both rounds and finished third in the average. Lachlan O’Neil also placed in a round in the steer wrestling.

The Mesalands Community College tie-down ropers had their strongest showing of the year. Four Mesalands tie-down ropers finished in the top ten at the rodeo. Hometown cowboy Allen Charley placed second in the final round with a 10.2 second run and finished fourth in the average. Kordale Secody placed third in the first round with a 9.6 second run. Grady Gray also placed in the tie-down roping.

“Overall this was a really good showing for our team. We finished second by 10 points behind NMSU who is ranked in the top 10. We have come a long way.”

The Mesalands Community College Rodeo Team is still currently ranked in the top twenty in the National Standings.

The next competition for the Mesalands Community College Rodeo Team is the Grand Canyon Regional Finals in Las Cruces, April 24-25.