NMSU rodeo team wins double-header weekend

The New Mexico State University rodeo team started the spring semester strongly at National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) rodeos at Cochise College, in Fort Huachuca, Ariz., March 6-7 and the University of Arizona, in Tucson, Ariz., March 8.

The men’s and the women’s teams placed first at both rodeos, each time leading the competition by more than 100 points.

“There were stellar performances in all the events. I was totally confident in the team to regain our top spot in the region after sitting out one competition. And that is exactly what they did. After this weekend, the NMSU rodeo men’s and women’s teams are first in the region,” said Jim Dewey Brown, NMSU rodeo coach.

At the Cochise College rodeo, Megan Wilkerson, of Sonoita, Ariz., won first place in the breakaway roping event. Brittany Striegel and Kelsi Elkins, both of Aztec, N.M., received second and third, respectively.

Jordan Bassett, of Dewey, Ariz., won first in the barrel racing.

Striegel won first on the goat tying, with Elkins finishing second.

For the men’s team, Clay Geronimo, of Mescalero, N.M., received third in the bareback riding event. Teammate Dean Daly, of Belen, N.M., placed second in the saddlebronc riding.

Rylan Edgmon, of Black Canyon City, Ariz., placed first in the tie-down roping. Johnny Salvo, of Horse Springs, N.M., placed second.

Gilbert, Ariz., native Wyatt Althoff received third in the steer-wrestling event.

Header Bryce Runyan, of Silver City, N.M., and heeler Aaron Shelley, of Cliff, N.M., won first in the team roping. The team of Tony Steele, of Alamo, Nev., and Casey Felton, of Fallon, Nev., placed second. Donny DeForest, of Yuma, Ariz., and Tyler Findley, from New Mexico Highlands University, finished third in the event.

Salvo was named the men’s all-around for the rodeo, while Stiegel and Elkins tied for the honor of women’s all-around.

During the University of Arizona rodeo, Striegel won first in the breakaway roping, with Elkins placing third.

Staci Stanbrough, of Capitan, N.M., placed second in the goat tying.

Geronimo won first in the bareback riding, and Daly tied for second in the saddlebronc event.

Salvo and Edgmon received first and third, respectively, in the tie-down roping.

Salvo received the men’s all-around honor again, with Striegel winning the women’s all-around.

The team goes on to compete at Central Arizona College March 14-15 in Florence, Ariz.

Margaret Kovar
March 13, 2009

NMSU