Rodeo team takes two titles

The Mesalands Community College rodeo team took home two championship titles in bull riding during a recent season-opening competition at Central Arizona College in Casa Grande, Arizona.

Levi Gray of Dairy, Oregon, and Roy Jackson of Tiller, Oregon, each won titles in bull riding during the rodeo’s Friday and Saturday sessions, respectively.

“These were the best rodeos we’ve had in a long time,” Mesalands coach Matt Hughes said. “The entire team was excited to compete, and they felt prepared for these rodeos. They wanted to win, and they did.”

Hughes said Mesalands holds the top four spots in bull riding in the Grand Canyon Region.

The Mesalands men’s team finished third in the Friday session and second in the Saturday session.

Finishing second that weekend were AJ Kee of Farmington in bareback riding twice and Dawson Stutting of Queen Creek, Arizona, in bull riding.

Finishing third were Michael Lucero of Jemez Springs and Austin Williams of Brownwood, Texas, in team roping. They also finished sixth in another team-roping session that weekend.

Macy Smith of Klamath Falls, Oregon, and Rebecca Darrup of Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania, finished in the top 10 of breakaway and goat tying, respectively.