NMSU RODEO

Salvo is tie-down champion

Nat Holland El Defensor Chieftain Reporter

Horse Springs roper Johnny Salvo is sitting at the top of his game. Salvo, who rides with the New Mexico State University rodeo team, is the College National Finals Rodeo champion in tie-down roping, after a series of top performances last week in Casper, Wyo.

"I didn't really try to win it, just tried to have good runs," Salvo said. "It didn't feel too much different from high school. I'm just a freshman, but I didn't really feel like I was an underdog or anything."

The top three ropers in each division qualify to compete in the finals, and Salvo has competed against most of them in previous rodeos.

Salvo is currently competing in various rodeos around New Mexico, and plans work his way eventually towards competing in the National Finals Rodeo.

"That's the toughest one to get into," Salvo said. "That is where everyone's sights are eventually."

After a year with the NMSU team, Salvo has adapted to life away from home.

"It's harder in the fact that you're not with your family anymore. You have to set up your own practices," Salvo said. "One of the best things about it is that it's nice to accomplish stuff on your own."

The NMSU rodeo team, coached by Jim Dewey Brown, doesn't practice together, according to Salvo, but everyone pulls for each other at the rodeos.

The credit for his win isn't his own, said Salvo. "Anytime I win I want to give the glory to God because that's where it comes from."

nholland@dchieftain.com


Gow races to national rodeo title for NMSU

The News-Review

New Mexico State University senior Bailey Gow can call herself a national champion.

Gow, a Roseburg High graduate, won the barrel racing aggregate title at the 60th annual College National Finals Rodeo last weekend at the Casper Events Center.
Gow — who placed fourth in barrel racing at the 2007 CNFR — finished with a time of 57.92 seconds over four runs, including a 14.22, which won the short go-round. Annelle Williams of University of Nevada Las Vegas was second overall at 57.95.
UNLV sophomore Jaymie Leach, another Roseburg grad, finished 17th in barrel racing. Leach’s fastest run was 14.55.

Gow is the second Roseburg native in four years to win a national barrel racing championship. Nataly Tatone captured the crown in 2005 as a senior at UNLV.

Gow finished fourth in the women’s all-around standings with 225 points. She finished 20th in breakaway roping.

Gow’s horse — “Aprils Honor” — won the women’s American Quarter Horse Association Horse of the Year award.

UNLV won the women’s team title with 470 points, followed by New Mexico State with 432.5. Walla Walla Community College was first in the men’s race with 740 points.