Spring 2016 Rodeo kicks into high gear at OCC

Hobbs, NEW MEXICO

The New Mexico Junior College Women's and Men's Rodeo Team open the Spring 2016 National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association / Southwest Region season at the Odessa College Rodeo. OC Rodeo will be held in the Ector County Coliseum starting this Thursday, February 25 through Saturday, February 27, 2016. Slack will start at 9:00 a.m. central time both Friday and Saturday mornings, performance will begin at 7:00 p.m. central time on Thursday and Friday evenings, with the short round at 3:00 p.m. central time on Saturday afternoon.

NMJC Men's Rodeo Team is ranked fourth in the standings with 1,020 points. Tarleton State University is first with 2,148 points followed by Western Texas College with 1,350 points, and Weatherford College at 1,070 points. The Top Two teams make it to the CNFR, in Casper, Wyoming in June.

Preston Burr has the lead in saddle bronc riding going into the spring season with 465 points. Other team members vying for a top three advancement to the CNFR are Wyatt Hayes (header) and Tyce McCleod (Heeler) in team roping currently twelfth overall and steer wrestlers Keely Bonnett and Ed Beardsworth placing in the top ten. Anything can happen though with five rodeo remaining in the 2016 season.