ENMU Athletes Off to Solid Start at College National Finals Rodeo

Gililland and Jackson are Third in Team Roping
Higgins Tied for Sixth in Bull Riding
Bennett is 20th in Barrel Racing

CASPER, WYO. — The Eastern New Mexico University rodeo teams have three representatives at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo. After two rounds in each event, two of Eastern's athletes are ranked in the Top 10 of their respective events, while the third remains in the Top 20.

James Gililland (Sr., Tularosa, NM/Tularosa HS) and his team roping partner, Clayton Jackson of Tarleton State University, hold third place in the standings with a combined time of 15.1 seconds (7.3-7.8). Dusty Higgins (Sr., Roswell, NM/New Mexico JC) did not score in the 1st Go of bull riding, but recorded the top score in the 2nd Go (79.0), and is tied for sixth place overall. Brittany Bennett (So., Portales, NM/Dora HS) placed ninth in the 1st Go of barrel racing (14.69 seconds) and 28th in the 2nd Go (15.02). She is 20th overall (29.71 seconds) with one round remaining before the short go. The top 12 competitors/teams in each event will advance to the short go (finals), set for Saturday, June 18.