Thursday, May 27, 2010

NMSU rodeo teams finish first in region

The New Mexico State University men's and women's rodeo teams each placed second overall at their host event, the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association rodeo, held April 30 and May 1 in Las Cruces.

"NMSU held their own during the final rodeo of the season. I was proud of the performances by our student-athletes. The rodeo was great, the fans were great, the weather not so great. But it was a solid weekend for us, enabling NMSU to keep hold of our top spot in the region," said Jim Dewey Brown, NMSU rodeo coach.

NMSU's rodeo team will take 10 members to the College National Finals Rodeo June 13-19 in Casper, Wyo.More than 4,000 attended the rodeo throughout the weekend, which was held at the Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds.

For the men's team, JoDan Mirabal, of Grants, N.M., won first in the tie-down roping, with teammate Johnny Salvo, of Horse Springs, N.M., placing second.

In the team roping, Rodee Walraven, header, of Datil, N.M., and Salvo, heeler, received second.

Carlsbad, N.M., native Brooke Hughes placed second in the breakaway roping event. Staci Stanbrough, of Capitan, N.M., received second in the goat tying.

Salvo was named the men's all-around champion for the weekend.

The men's and women's teams each won first in the final NIRA Grand Canyon Region standings, enabling NMSU to take full teams to the College National Finals Rodeo June 13-19 in Casper, Wyo.

Stanbrough, Jessica Silva of Tularosa, N.M., Carleigh Marr of Belen, N.M., and Jordan Bassett of Dewey, Ariz., will compete for the women's team, while Salvo, Walraven, Mirabal, Steve Hacker of Battle Mountain, Nev., Bo Simpson of Las Cruces, and Corban Livingston, of El Paso, Texas, round out the men's team.

Written by Margaret Kovar.

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