NMSU rodeo team competes in third rodeo of the season

Margaret Kovar

The New Mexico State University rodeo team continued to hold their own against the competition during the Dine College National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) rodeo Oct. 9-10 in Tsaile, Ariz.

“The Dine College hosted a great rodeo this year. We are starting to get in our groove and team scores are climbing. We just need to keep it up as we go into our final rodeo of the season here in Las Cruces,” said Jim Dewey Brown, NMSU rodeo coach.

The men’s team placed third and the women’s team finished second during the rodeo.

Steve Hacker, of Battle Mountain, Nev., won first in the saddle bronc riding event.

JoDan Mirabal, of Grants, N.M., and Johnny Salvo, of Horse Springs, N.M., placed first and second, respectively, in the tie-down roping.

In the team roping, Mirabal, header, and Grayln Elkins, heeler, of New Mexico Highlands University, received third.

Mirabal also was named the men’s all-around champion for the weekend.

Capitan, N.M., native Staci Stanbrough placed third in breakaway roping and second in barrel racing.

“We did well this last rodeo, but we need to stay focused and really hit the practice pen before the next rodeo, especially since it is a home rodeo,” said Megan Corey Albrecht, NMSU rodeo assistant coach.

The next NIRA rodeo will be held at NMSU in Las Cruces Oct. 31.