STEPHENVILLE — National Champions. Again.
Tarleton State University’s men’s rodeo team added another award this weekend to its already jam-packed trophy case, winning its fourth national crown at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo.
“It was an exciting week,” said Tarleton rodeo coach Mark Eakin. “We usually say it’s a roller coaster because there are so many ups and downs, but this one it seemed like the whole week kept building and building.”
Steer wrestler Walt Arnold led the Tarleton charge, capturing an individual national title of his own. Leading the event going into Saturday’s championship round, Arnold flashed a 3.7 time for top honors in the short-go and in the average.
Five Tarleton cowboys participated in the finals, which featured the top 12 finishers in each event from the week’s competition, and all five posted top-10 scores and times.
Saddle bronc rider Cash Wilson won the short-go with his CNFR personal best of 82. He finished as reserve champion in the average with a four-head total of 308.5. Steer wrestler Ty Allred took fourth in the finals, saddle bronc rider Brody Wells was fifth, and tie-down roper Brayden Roe was 10th.
“We’re very proud of all of them,” Eakin said. “That team was on a mission. We drew well, they did everything they could do and they supported each other. They knew from day one we had a shot.”
Overall, Tarleton accumulated 900 points, topping reserve champion McNeese State by 120 points.
Two breakaway ropers from Tarleton’s women’s team qualified for the CNFR individually. Two-time regional champion Sarah Angelone and teammate Maddy Deerman each made the short-go in Casper, with Angelone taking seventh and Deerman eighth.
Tarleton’s rodeo teams have now combined for eight national titles in program history and 29 individual championships.
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