NMSU Rodeo places strongly at mid-season rodeos

The New Mexico State University Rodeo team maintained its regional lead during the Central Arizona College National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association rodeos March 20-21 in Florence, Ariz.

“The women’s team a great weekend, solidifying our lead going into the last two rodeos of the season, and the men’s team still maintains a good 300 point lead within the region. We will have to step up and be aggressive at the last two rodeos to keep our number one spot, though,” said Jim Dewey Brown, NMSU Rodeo coach.

During the first rodeo of the weekend, the men’s team placed third overall and the women’s team won first.

Steve Hacker, of Battle Mountain, Nev., and Thor Dusenberry, of Desert Hills, Ariz., placed second and third, respectively, in saddlebronc riding.

Daniel Scalva, header, of Durango, Colo., and Aaron Shelley, heeler, of Cliff, N.M., placed third in the team roping event.

Jordan Bassett, of Dewey, Ariz., won first in breakaway roping and third in barrel racing.

Staci Stanbrough, of Capitan, N.M., received third the goat tying.

The women’s team again won first at the weekend’s second rodeo. The men’s team placed second.

Dusenberry won first in the saddlebronc riding event.

Rodee Walraven, of Datil, N.M., Johnny Salvo, heeler, of Horse Springs, N.M., won first in team roping.

Carleigh Marr, of Belen, N.M., placed second in breakaway roping, with teammate Jessica Silva, of Tularosa, N.M., placing third.

In the goat tying event, Silva won first. She also was named the women’s all-around champion for the rodeo.

The NMSU Rodeo team next will travel to Taylor, Ariz., for the Northland Pioneer College NIRA rodeo April 23-24.