NMSU Wins Challenge Rodeo For Third Year In A Row

The New Mexico State University rodeo team overpowered the competition for the third year in a row at the New Mexico College – High School Rodeo Challenge in Farmington Oct. 31-Nov. 2.

Both the men’s and the women’s team finished first overall at the rodeo, which is held by the New Mexico Rodeo Council as a contest between college rodeo teams and high school students.

“I am very proud of the team’s accomplishments and am also looking forward to working with some of the top quality high school rodeo athletes I saw during the challenge,” said Jim Dewey Brown, NMSU rodeo coach.

In the breakaway roping event, Brooklyn Chester, of Carlsbad, N.M., won first, with Brittany Striegel, of Aztec, N.M., placing second.

Striegel won first in the goat tying. Kelsi Elkins, also of Aztec, N.M., placed third.

Bay City, Texas, native Trey Bissett won first in the bareback riding. Teammate Dean Daly, of Belen, N.M., won first in the saddlebronc event.

Johnny Salvo, of Horse Springs, N.M., received first in the tie-down roping. Wyatt Althoff, of Gilbert, Ariz., placed second in the steer wrestling.

In the team roping event, header Chance Means, of Cliff, N.M., and heeler Aaron Moyers, of Moriarty, N.M., won first. Tony Steele, of Alamo, Nev., and Casey Felton, of Fallon, Nev., placed second.

For the men’s all-around, Althoff received first, followed by Means. Striegel was named the women’s all-around for the weekend.

MEN’S TEAM

1. 795pts. New Mexico State
2. 445pts. New Mexico Highlands
3. 425pts. High School
4. 310pts. Mesalands
5. 275pts. Eastern New Mexico
6. 205pts. New Mexico Jr. College

WOMEN’S TEAM

1. 778pts. New Mexico State
2. 115pts. New Mexico Jr. College
3. 85pts.. High School
4. 33pts.. New Mexico Highlands

NMSU rodeo team members, new recruits receive scholarships

New recruits and current members of the New Mexico State University rodeo team received numerous scholarships for the 2008-2009 academic year.

To qualify for a scholarship, the student athletes must have a 2.5 GPA or higher, be a full-time student, participate in team activities and compete in National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) rodeos.

“Our goal is to recruit good students and good athletes and continue our winning tradition,” said Frank DuBois, former secretary/director of the New Mexico Department of Agriculture and founder of the DuBois Rodeo Scholarship.

Wyatt Althoff, of Gilbert, Ariz., received the L.J. “Curley” McCarey Memorial Scholarship. Althoff is a senior who competes in tie-down roping, team roping and steer wrestling. He also was the men’s all-around champion at the 2008 College National Rodeo Finals (CNFR) in June.

Belen, N.M., native Dean Daly was awarded the G.B. Oliver Jr. Memorial Scholarship. Daly is a junior and competes in saddle bronc, bareback riding and bull riding.

Sophomore Johnny Salvo, of Horse Springs, N.M., received the H.W. “Bud” Eppers Memorial Scholarship. Salvo competes in tie-down roping and team roping, and won the tie-down roping at the CNFR. He also placed second in the men’s rookie standings.

Brittany Striegel, of Aztec, N.M., received the F.F. “Chano” Montoya Memorial Scholarship. Striegel is a senior who competes in barrel racing, breakaway roping and goat tying.

Kelsi Elkins, also of Aztec, N.M., and a senior, received the New Mexico Federal Lands Council Scholarship. Elkins competes in barrel racing, breakaway roping and goat tying.

Staci Stanbrough, of Capitan, N.M., was awarded the Charlie Lee Memorial Scholarship. Stanbrough is a junior and competes in barrel racing, breakaway roping and goat tying.

Moriarty, N.M., native Aaron Moyers received the Bubba Echols Memorial Scholarship. Moyers is a senior and competes in team roping.

JoDan Mirabal, of Grants, N.M., received the Williams Family Ranches Scholarship. Mirabal is a junior and competes in tie-down roping and team roping.

New recruit Jessica Silva, of Tularosa, N.M., was awarded the Pete and Lucy Leach Scholarship. Other new recruits receiving scholarships are Jordan Bassett, of Dewey, Ariz.; Coy Burreal, of Tucson, Ariz.; Steve Hacker, of Battle Mountain, Nev.; Kirby Lewis, of Vernal, Utah; Bryce Runyan, of Silver City, N.M.; Tyler Southern, of Las Cruces, N.M.; Rodee Walraven, of Datil, N.M.; and Dustin Wilson, of Browning, Mont.

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Photo is available at
http://ucommphoto.nmsu.edu/newsphoto/rodeo_scholarships.jpg
CUTLINE: Frank DuBois, front, former secretary/director of the New Mexico Department of Agriculture and founder of the Dubois Rodeo Scholarship, with, back row from left, Megan Corey-Albrecht, of Bremerton, Wash., former New Mexico State University rodeo team member, current assistant coach and 2008 national goat tying champion; Wyatt Althoff, of Gilbert, Ariz., scholarship recipient and 2008 national all-around cowboy; and Johnny Salvo, of Horse Springs, N.M., scholarship recipient and 2008 national tie-down champion. (Courtesy photo by Shawna Brown)

Margaret Kovar
Dec. 23, 2008

This is the Westerners son and my dad asked me to let you all know that his ISP went bankrupt and we will be back up and blogging around Jan. 6th. Thanks and have a safe New Year.

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