STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Tarleton State University’s men’s rodeo team amassed 665 points in the weekend National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) Southwest Region stop at Sul Ross State in Alpine, taking a commanding first place for the second consecutive week.
The effort was led by first-place finishes from bareback rider Tuker Carricato and saddle bronc rider Coleman Shallbetter. Carricato topped the 80-point mark on both his broncs, earning an 83.5 in the long-go, then adding an 85 in the championship finals. Shallbetter’s 164 two-head total came on rides of 79 and 85 points.
Roedy Farrell and Bailey Small each contributed second-place finishes in Alpine. Farrell’s runner-up effort included rides of 75.5 and 83 points on bareback broncs for a 158.5 tally. Small posted a 79-83-162 in saddle broncs.
Teammate Waitley Sharon was fourth in saddle bronc riding with a 158 on scores of 78 and 80 and Teel Sikes was third in steer wrestling on the strength of his 4.2-5.2-9.4 performance.
On the women’s side, Tarleton State barrel racers Hadley Tidwell, Rylee Abel and Jordan Driver captured the top three spots in the event and paced the team to a third-place finish.
Tidwell topped the field with her first-place 15.91 in the preliminary round, then added an event-best 15.59 in the finals for a two-run 31.5, followed by Abel’s 15.95-15.82-31.77 and a 15.92-15.93-31.85 from Driver.
Shyanne Bauerle took the goat tying crown at SRSU flashing with a 6.2-7.3-13.5. Kayla Garza wound up third in the event on runs of 6.7 and 7.9 and teammate Cidney Estes’ 2.1-3.3-5.4 was good for fifth in breakaway roping.
Both squads continue NIRA Southwest Region action Oct. 10 at the Clarendon College Rodeo.
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 approximately 18,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 125 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.