STEPHENVILLE, Texas — The Tarleton State Rodeo team competed through tragedy over the weekend following the passing of Alejandra Franco.
“We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support for our students, team and Ale’s family as we navigate this incredibly difficult loss,” said Tarleton State Head Rodeo Coach Mark Eakin. “Ale was a special part of our Tarleton State family. The impact she made on her teammates, coaches and our university will stay with us forever.”
Team members continued competing throughout the rest of the weekend in Ale’s honor with purple ribbons on their vests provided by rodeo family at Sul Ross State University. The women’s team was crowned team champions, while Tarleton State brought home four individual championships.
“The rodeo community is such a close-knit family,” said Eakin. “Contestants from across the region carried Ale with them throughout the weekend, and those purple ribbons were a reminder of who they were competing for. I could not be more proud of how our athletes came together, supported one another and found the strength to compete in her honor.”
In bareback riding, Kash Loyd was crowned champion for the second weekend in a row with a total average of 166 points on two, Westen Chandler was reserve champion with a total average of 159.5 points on two, Jace Lomheim tied for third and fourth with an average of 155 points on two, while Clay Greenslade was fifth with a total average of 154 points on two and Taylon Carmody was sixth with a total of 153.5 points on two.
Four tie-down ropers represented Tarleton State in the short go. Wyatt Williams was reserve champion with 19.1 seconds on two, Ty Rogers was third with 19.6 seconds on two, Cort Boyd finished fourth with 19.9 seconds on two, and Nathan Alexander finished ninth with 9.7 seconds on one.
Tarleton State was also well represented in breakaway roping, securing five out of 10 spots. Clare Burcalow was reserve champion with 5.1 seconds on two, Ceegan Akins finished third with 6.4 seconds on two, Brilee Cochran was sixth with 1.7 seconds on one, Colee Cox was seventh with 1.9 seconds on one, and Mollie Sykes finished ninth with 2.5 on one.
Walker Goffard was crowned steer wrestling champion with 10.4 seconds on two, while teammate Ilan Davis finished third with 11 seconds on two, Ian Dickinson was fourth with 16.2 seconds on two, Kreece Dearing was sixth with 22.2 seconds on two, and Hayden Ladd finished eighth with 5.6 seconds on one.
Six saddle bronc riders finished top 10 in the average. Colton Lewis was third with 145 points on two, Tripp Kite was fourth with 142.5 points on two, Clay Greenslade was fifth with 140 points on two, Devon Hay was sixth with 127 points on two, Aidan Bottkol was seventh with 112 points on two, and Waitley Sharon was eighth with 82 points on one.
In goat tying, Faith Lundberg finished third with 12.4 seconds on two, Rylee Abel was fourth with 12.6 seconds on two, Wacey Trujillo tied for sixth and seventh with 12.8 seconds on two, and Rhiley Montoya was ninth with 13.3 seconds on two.
Kreece Dearing was crowned team roping champion header with Katie Bews from Angelo State University with a total of 13.9 seconds on two. Zander Hinton was third with 5.8 seconds on one, Grady Wilson was fourth with 6 seconds on one, Brylee Boyce was ninth with 8.3 seconds on one, and Jake Cicur finished 10th with 10.6 seconds on one.
Skyler Nicholas was crowned barrel racing champion for the second weekend in a row with 32.05 seconds on two, while teammates Karmen Martin finished sixth with 32.69 seconds on two, Patton Lynch finished seventh with 32.78 seconds on two, Makenzee Wheelhouse finished eighth with 37.38 seconds on two, and Taber Garcia finished ninth with 37.84 seconds on two.
Two Tarleton State bull riders qualified for the short round. Zane Monnett finished sixth with 83 points on one, while teammate Colt Jackson finished eighth with 60.5 points on one.
A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of more than 28,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 127 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real-world learning and address regional, state and national needs.