NMJC (W-Rodeo) Wins HC Rodeo, Urbantke & Montoya Earn Titles

The NMJC women's rodeo team won their second rodeo of the season at the Howard College Rodeo.

The team previously had won the Clarendon College Rodeo Saturday, Nov. 15.

The women's team was led by Quincy Montoya who won the all-round and Kadey Urbantke who nabbed the breakaway title.  

The Thunderbirds finished with 270 points in Big Spring, Texas winning the rodeo by 90 points over Odessa College.  

"The team win is big for us and I'm proud of all of our girls for continuing to work hard and make the necessary changes to win on a different set up," NMJC women's rodeo head coach Alexa Wilcox said. "It's easy to get burnt out at this point in the semester and they've all kept grinding. They went out and did their jobs, and it paid off." 

Quincy Montoya won the Howard College Rodeo All-Around Title with 140 points overall. Montoya has won the all-around in three rodeos with Saturday being her second straight all-around win. She is ranked No. 1 in the all-around for the Caprock Region with 615 points.

The sophomore tied for third place in the Long Round of the goat tying with a time of 9.3 seconds. Montoya tied for third place in the Short Round with a 9.2 second run earning her 35 points in both the Short and Long Rounds. Montoya was second in the average at 18.4 seconds adding 50 points and finishing with a total of 120 points. She is No. 5 in the goat tying for the Caprock Region with 400 points.

Montoya also competed in the barrels where she was fifth in the Short Round with a time of 15.86 earning 20 points to finish with 140 points total at the rodeo.

"Quincy's all-around title this weekend was extra fun as she placed in the barrels in the long go," Coach Wilcox said. "She's only had this barrel horse a few months, but her hard work and horsemanship really paid off this weekend at a crucial time for her in the season. That makes it fun! Her second-place finish in the goats was also impressive. She went and made two business runs and I was proud of her mental toughness to do so." 

Kadey Urbantke won her first breakaway title this week accumulating 130 points for the women's team.

She tied for fourth in the Long Round of the breakaway at 2.6 seconds to pick up 20 points. The sophomore won second in the short go with a 3.1 second run grabbing 50 more points. Urbantke was first in average at 5.7 seconds which won her the rodeo and added 60 points to finish with a total of 130 points for the event. Madi Stanley was the last T-Bird to win the breakaway title when she was won at the Clarendon College Rodeo in November. Urbantke is No. 9 in the breakaway with 190 points in the Caprock Region standings.

"Kadey has earned this breakaway title with blood, sweat and tears," Coach Wilcox said. "She is one of the hardest working athletes on the team and has had several short go qualifications. I could not be more proud or excited for her to get the win this weekend. Her Short Round calf was not easy, and she truly excelled in skill to get him roped as fast as she did. She has an outstanding horse and is a true competitor - it was only a matter of time for her to win." 

Ashlynn Jones snuck into the short go of the barrel racing in 10th place with a 16.11 time in the Long Round. A 16.38 second run in the Short Round put her in fifth place. She earned 20 points in the Short Round and another 20 points in the average with a fifth-place finish to end Saturday with 40 points.

"Ashlynn and her horse Peekaboo have been putting in the work for this Short Round appearance for a long time," Coach Wilcox said. "Ashlynn did an amazing job as a jockey in both rounds, but especially when the ground wasn't as good in the Short Round. Peekaboo was having fun and trying hard and it worked out. I am extremely proud of them." 

Maysa Schiffner and Jace Beierbach were second in the Short Round of the team roping with a time of 7.3 seconds earning 50 points. The pair recorded a time of 13.2 in the Short Round to finish sixth with 10 points. Beierbach and Schiffner added 10 more points in the average to finish the rodeo with 70 points each. 

Mya Workman and Jestin Jacklin made the Short Round in the team roping with a 12.7 second run finishing eighth. The pair were a no time in the short go. 

"The team roping in the Rodeo Bowl is tricky and I was proud of the girls for scoring right and making it work," Coach Wilcox said. "We are thankful for their partners and proud of those Long Round runs." 

Macye Maben finished seventh in the Long Round of the breakaway roping with a time of 2.8 seconds. Maben was a no time in the Short Round. 

The T-Birds made it to the Short Round in every event this week at Howard.

"Making it back in every event just shows the diversity of our team and our program," Coach Wilcox said. "I've always tried to recruit all-around hands and I think our team representation in the Short Round this weekend demonstrates that. We are well-rounded and willing to do the work it takes to get better one very way. This weekend gives us a big jump in momentum to finish the season strong." 

The Thunderbirds are right back at it April 16-18 at the WT A&M Rodeo in Amarillo, Texas.