SWTJC Rodeo team kicks off season with a big win
The Southwest Texas Junior College Rodeo Team started their 2018-2019 season off with a bang in Tatum, Texas during the Panola Junior College rodeo on Sept. 28 - 29.
New head rodeo coach Joey Almand and outgoing head rodeo coach Roy Angermiller led their men’s team to the win during the first National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s Southern Region event.
The tip of the spear in the SWTJC men’s team success was the freshman, Tyler West, from Mertzon, Texas. West nabbed the event’s All-Around Cowboy title with a total of 185.50 event points, which was 40 points better than the second-place finisher.
West also placed second in the steer wrestling contest turning in a time of 5.5 seconds and split second and third place in the calf roping with teammate Logan Weeks of Uvalde after the duo posted mirroring runs of 9.2 seconds.
“I couldn’t be more excited about this weekend,” said Almand. “What a great way to kick off the season. It proves to our athletes that hard work pays off and that they are capable of matching up against larger teams with older, more experienced competitors from state colleges and universities in our region.”
SWTJC men’s team member Reno Stoebner from Bastrop, Texas significantly contributed to the team’s winning effort by splitting second and third place in the team roping competition with his rapid 6.3-second run.
“Our women’s team may not have had the success our men’s team did this weekend, but I’m pretty excited about their efforts this past weekend as well,” said Almand.
Returning sophomore Shaye Lynn Jessee from La Vernia, Texas turned in a 2.6 in the breakaway roping contest and finished ninth, while freshman Maddie Wood of Comfort, Texas finished ninth in the Barrel Racing competition with a 17.40-second run.
The team is busy prepping for their annual college rodeo on Oct. 5-6 at the Uvalde County Fair Plex Rodeo Arena. Evening performances will start at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday night.
The two-night event will include team roping, barrel racing, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, bull riding, and entertainment by rodeo clown Leon Coffee as well as Amanda Payne.
“We have a lot of talent here with both our men’s and women’s teams,” stated Almand. “We are ready to roll up our sleeves and keep working hard to be the best we can be. I’m hoping we can follow this big victory up this weekend in front of our hometown crowd.”
Over 350 collegiate athletes, representing some 15 colleges and universities in the Southern Region are expected to compete in Uvalde.
Tickets for nightly performances are $8 pre-sale and $10 at the gate. Local ticket outlets include Oasis Outback, Texas Farm Store, Hondo National Bank, Country Gardens and Seed, Rockin R, First State Bank, and SWTJC.
Children 12 and under, and SWTJC students who show a current student ID will be admitted free of charge.
The SWTJC Friends and Alumni Association will operate the concession stand at this year's rodeo, serving drinks and a variety of food items. Proceeds from the concession stand will benefit scholarships.