October 7, 1997
For Immediate Release
Contact: Judy Willson, SID
505.562.4309 or 356-4755

(Portales, N.M.) --- The Eastern New Mexico University men's rodeo team finished in fourth place at Sul Ross State University over the weekend with 165 points. Vernon Regional Junior College won their second rodeo of the season on the men's side with 260 points. Western Texas College and Odessa College tied for first place in the women's competition with 180 points.

Brad Long (So., Raton) tried to improve over his second place finish at West Texas A&M last week in the bareback riding. He advanced to the finals but did not come up with a score.

At West Texas A&M, the Greyhounds points came in bareback riding and bull riding. Last week the points came in steer wrestling and team roping.

Ryan and Ross Pratt (Sr./Fr., Scott City, Kan.) advanced to the finals in the steer wrestling with Ross winning the first round with a 4.6. Ross was unable to place in the finals while Ryan jumped from seventh out of the first round to third in the finals with a 13.3.

In the team roping, freshman Kyle Stamps (Clovis) split first and third place in the finals with two different partners. Stamps and partner Kurt Kiehne (NMJC) finished first with a 13.5, while Stamps and partner Clay Lewis (VRJC) finished third with a 14.2. Portales native Garrett Goodson also advanced to the finals with partner Joe Kyle Reid (NMJC).

In bull riding, Craig Chavez (So., Peralta) won the bull riding with a 150 for his best collegiate finish.

The Zia rodeo team did not accumulate any points but had several finalists. Junior Brandi Curtis (Roswell) advanced to the barrel racing finals, while freshman Kelly Saiz (Flora Vista) came out of the first round of goat tying tied for fifth.

Up Next...the ENMU rodeo team goes on the road to Vernon Regional Junior College on Oct. 10-12 in Vernon, Texas.