Tarleton State Men’s Rodeo Seeking NIRA Three-peat as Both Teams Begin Season in Alpine

STEPHENVILLE — Tarleton State University’s men’s rodeo team will begin its quest for a third consecutive National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) title Sept. 25-27 at the Sul Ross State University Rodeo. The defending reserve champion women’s team will also take to the arena during the three-day season opener in Alpine.

The men, fresh off back-to-back national titles and three in the last four seasons, captured first-place finishes in eight of last season’s 10 NIRA Southwest Region events. This season, Tarleton State will compete in the Lone Star Region.

Freshman saddle bronc rider Coleman Shallbetter finished third in the highly competitive Southwest during the 2024-25 regular season and took third in the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in Wyoming last June.

He is excited at the chance to compete for a third straight national team title.

“I think it’s a big opportunity,” he said. “Some of the guys from the national championship teams have graduated, but we have some new talent we’re getting tuned up at practice. I think we’re going to have a good shot to get another title.

“I’m looking for everyone to be in a place where they’re ready to learn in the practice pen and want to work to get better and push each other to win.”

Tarleton State’s women’s team, paced by national champion goat tyer Tori Brower, was just 10 points behind champion Southwest Texas College last year to finish second nationally for the second straight season.

With Brower gone after using all her collegiate eligibility, Tarleton State will lean heavily on returning CNFR qualifiers, including breakaway roper Jacelyn Frost, who corralled seventh place in Casper.

“We’ve got a really strong team again this year,” said the senior agriculture education major from Randlett, Utah. “We just have to be consistent and go in with confidence.”

As winners of eight of 10 regular season competitions a season ago, the Tarleton State women are defending Southwest Region champs for the second straight year.

After Alpine, both teams will compete at the Cisco College Rodeo Oct. 3-4, the Weatherford College Rodeo Oct. 9-11, the Angelo State University Rodeo Oct. 23-25 and the fall finale Nov. 7-8 at Vernon College.