Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Special to QCS
The Mesalands Community College’s Rodeo Team had one of its best performances at a regional rodeo at the University of Arizona in Tuscon, Ariz. Feb. 4-5. The Team had a total of 19 members place at the rodeo. The men’s team took first place with 954 points and brought home titles for both days. The Women’s Team clinched its first championship title of the season and finished in second place the other day with 456.Fifth, points.
“Our Team is on pace to shatter the single season points record for the region,” C.J. Aragon, Mesalands Intercollegiate Rodeo Coach said. “We have been averaging a little more than 900 points a rodeo, and our old record is around 670 points a rodeo. Our women’s team also has a chance to go to the college finals after the last rodeo. They were 600 points behind going to the rodeo, and they cut the gap down to 200 points in one weekend.”
Macy Fuller of Clarkston, Wash. earned the women’s all-around championship by placing second in the breakaway event, fifth in team roping (with fellow team member Daniel Baeza from Chihuahua, Mexico), and seventh in goat tying.
“I was proud of myself and how I handled the situation and I was just happy with how I performed. I drew good cattle and just stayed focused,” Fuller said.
Fuller says she plans to compete at the College National Finals Rodeo in all of her events including, breakaway, team roping, goat tying, and barrel racing. She is currently second in the Grand Canyon Region in goat tying and 12th in breakaway roping.
Fran Marchand of Omak, Wash., led the men’s team in Arizona. Marchand brought home two championship titles in the all-around event and in bareback riding. He also finished second in the bull riding event and tied for the sixth and seventh place in saddle bronc riding
“I’m really excited about this semester,” Marchand said. “I had a chance to rest over the winter break and I’m a lot better than before. I enjoy what I do and I think that makes the difference.”
Marchand recovered exceptionally well after incurring a few injuries last semester. He is now close to competing at the college finals for a third consecutive year. Marchand is currently third in the nation in the All-Around, 18th in saddle bronc riding and 22nd in the nation in bull riding.
In the region, Marchand is leading in the all-around event; he’s second in bull riding, fourth in saddle bronc riding, and fifth in bareback riding.
The men’s team is currently ranked second in the nation and second in the Grand Canyon region. The women’s team is ranked third in the region and 13th in the nation.
“Our Men’s Team is only 12.5 points from leading the nation at the midway point of the season,” Aragon said. “I think it’s impressive that New Mexico has two of the best rodeo teams in the country, Mesalands and New Mexico State.”
The next rodeo competition for the Mesalands Rodeo Team will be at Cochise College in Fort Huachuca, Ariz. March 2-3.