The last rodeo for the fall semester was completed at New Mexico State University (NMSU) in Las Cruces last weekend with a strong showing from Mesalands Rodeo Team members.

Mesalands’ Men’s Team took fourth place with 321 points and the Women’s Team ended in sixth place with 78.5 points. 

Individual standings at NMSU included:
l Clay Elkins, second place tie-down roping
l Allen Charley, fifth place tie-down roping
l Jeff O’Donnell, third place steer wrestling
l Michael Bates, fourth place steer wrestling
l Meagan McCain, fourth place goat tying

Standings through the fall semester show the Men’s Team in third place in the region with 1781 points (in the top 25 in the nation), and the Women’s Team in sixth place in the region with 278.50 points.

The top three in each event qualify for the College National Finals Rodeo at the conclusion of the spring semester.
“We have our work cut out for us during the spring semester to have a strong representation at the National Finals next spring,” said Rodeo Coach C.J. Aragon.

 “Those who rank well now will have to keep up the pace, and those who are close will need to hone their skills over the next few months to move into the top three in their events.”

On the women's side, “The  team is a lot more competitive this year.  Practices are more competitive and it is showing at the rodeos.  Our goat tiers have really stepped up this fall,”  Aragon said.

Individual Rankings

Bull Riding
l Donnie Frazee, freshman  1st place (in the top ten nationally)
l Jayson Cloud - 8th place
l Chad Martin - 13th place

Steer Wrestling-  Mesalands  swept the top three spots:
l Jeff O’Donnell,   returning regional champion, 1st place
l Micheal Bates, a College Nationals qualifier last spring, 2nd place
l Clay Elkins, a freshman, 3rd place
l Ethan Randal - 8th place
l Travis Lengal - 11th place
l Shane Meeres - 12th place

Saddle Bronc Riding
l Brandon Jones - 4th place

Tie-down Roping
l Clay Elkins - 5th place
l Allen Charley - 12th place


Team Roping
l Michael Bates - 6th place
l Allen Charley - 6th place
l Clay Elkins - 14th place
l Ethan Randall - 15th place
l Thomas McNeill - 15th place

Goat Tying
l Megan McCain - 6th place
l Daphne Wehrs - 9th place
l Amber Miller - 15th place