Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The Mesalands Community College rodeo team competed in a pair of weekend rodeos March 10-11 in Arizona, taking men's and women's titles home in both events.
Following wins at Central Arizona College in Florence, Ariz., the men's team has 7,325 total points on the season and the women's team has 3,082.5 points. Both teams are second nationwide, and could give the school its first dual appearance at the College National Finals Rodeo.
"Last year we sent eight students to nationals and had one of the largest groups at the rodeo. Right now we could be sending as many as 14," coach C.J. Aragon said. "We have a really good team here at Mesalands, and I don't know if people realize just how good this team is."
In Arizona on March 10, the men's team earned 998.50 points and two individual titles. Fran Marchand of Omak, Wash., brought home both the men's all-around and the bull riding titles. He also placed second in bareback riding and fourth in saddle bronc riding. Nationally, Marchand is currently first in the nation in the men's all-around, third in bull riding, eighth in saddle bronc riding, and 11th in bareback riding.
Macy Fuller of Clarkston, Wash., led the women's team to a 692-point performance and its first team title of the season. Fuller won four championship titles in the women's all-around, team roping, barrel racing, and goat tying events. She is currently first in the nation in the women's all-around, sixth in goat tying, and seventh in the nation in breakaway roping.
Jordan Minor of Navasota, Texas, finished second in the tie down roping event on March 10 and then on March 11 earned his first championship title of the season.
"I've had some ups and downs this season, so it feels great to be on top after working hard all season. I like the facilities at Mesalands and Coach C.J. is a huge help," Minor said. "We really have a good team."
Minor is leading the Grand Canyon Region in tie down roping and is currently 11th in the nation.
On March 10 the men's team earned 818 points and finished in second place. The women's team ended the rodeo with 360 points in third place.
The team will be in action again April 20-21 at Northland Pioneer College in Crownpoint, Ariz., and April 27-28 at New Mexico State University.
"We have only two regional rodeos remaining and I would like to encourage the community to continue supporting our Rodeo Team by attending the last rodeo in Las Cruces," MCC President Mildred Lovato said. "This is our opportunity to show just how much we appreciate their outstanding performance."
Results
Other individual standings