NMSU rodeo team competes in first rodeo of the season

Margaret Kovar

The New Mexico State University rodeo team started the season strongly at National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) rodeos at Mesalands Community College in Tucumcari, N.M., Sept. 18-19, and Cochise College in Douglas, Ariz., Sept. 25-26.

“These were great rodeos to start our season. We are a very young team, but I am confident we will be bringing home plenty of championships this year,” said Jim Dewey Brown, NMSU rodeo coach.

During the Mesalands Community College rodeo, the men’s team finished third overall out of eight teams, and the women’s team placed third out of five teams.

For the men’s team, Steve Hacker, of Battle Mountain, Nev., won first in the saddle bronc riding event, with teammate Thorsen Dusenberry, of Desert Hills, Ariz., placing third.

Dusty Thornton, of Calhan, Colo., placed second in the bull riding.

Las Cruces, N.M., native Bo Simpson won first in the tie-down roping. JoDan Mirabal, of Grants, N.M., received second.

The team of Clinton Hiett, header, of El Paso, Texas, and Jared Sharp, heeler, of Dayton, Ore., placed third in the team roping event.

In the breakaway roping event, Carleigh Marr, of Belen, N.M., tied for first place. Jessica Silva, of Tularosa, N.M., placed second in the goat tying and also was named the women’s all-around champion for the rodeo.

The women’s team placed first overall at the Cochise College rodeo.

“The girls really stepped it up for this rodeo. They are all tough competitors and proved it this weekend,” said Megan Corey Albrecht, NMSU rodeo assistant coach.

In the saddle bronc riding event, Hacker, Dusenberry and Garrison DeWitt, of Rio Rico, Ariz., placed first, second and third, respectively.

In the bull riding, Cheyne Olney, of Toppenish, Wash., placed third.

Simpson placed third in the tie-down roping.

The team of Tyler Dietering, header, of Central Arizona College, and Corban Livingston, heeler, of El Paso, Texas, received third.

Fallon, Nev., native Marisa Julian received second in the breakaway roping, with Silva receiving third.

Jordan Bassett, of Dewey, Ariz., placed third in the barrel racing event.

Katie Waybourn, of Aztec, N.M., won first in the goat tying. Waybourn also was named the women’s all-around champion for the rodeo.

The next NIRA rodeo will be held at Dine College in Tsaile, Ariz., Oct. 9-10.