STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Tarleton State University rodeo teams dominated weekend action at the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Southwest Region stop at Sul Ross State University.
Tarleton’s men, led by three top-five saddle bronc efforts, totaled an impressive 735 points for first place, and the women’s squad, paced by firsts in goat tying and barrel racing, accumulated 380 for top honors.
Saddle bronc rider Ira Dickinson scored a long-go 80, then added an 85 in the finals for a 165 total to win the average, his second win of the young season. Teammate Bailey Small earned a 163 on rides of 80 and 83 for second, and Lance Gaillard took fourth with a 79-82–161.
Tarleton added firsts with Landris White’s 6.4-4.2–10.6 time in steer wrestling, and the duo of Dax Hill and Sul Ross cowboy Caden Beatty scored a 5.7 in the first round of team roping, then flashed a finals-best 4.8 for their two-head 10.5. Bull rider Lance Lara took third with a 150 on rides of 74 and 76.
Tori Brower and Hattie Haynes tied for first place in goat tying. Brower’s 13.4 combined time included a long-go best 6.3 and a 7.1 in the finals, while Haynes turned in runs of 6.6 and 6.8. Rylee Able was fifth with a 7.0-6.5–13.5, and Rayme Jones finished sixth with twin 6.9s.
Barrel racer Jordan Driver shot through the cloverleaf in 15.92 in the preliminaries, then added a 15.94 in the short go for a 31.86 and a win in the average. Acey Pinkston’s fourth-place 32.0 in the event included a 15.83, tops in the finals.
Both Tarleton State teams lead the NIRA Southwest standings after two stops, and both will return to action this weekend at the Vernon 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.