Helen Smith
The Paw Print
helen Smith
The Paw Print
Here’s a fun fact: did you know that Adams State has a real rodeo team?
So what is rodeo? Webster’s Dictionary defines rodeo as “a public exhibition of the skills of cowboys, with contests in bull riding, lassoing, etc.” The assistant coach, Jill Francis, of our own rodeo team shares a little about ASU rodeo and the team’s progress thus far.
Francis explains that her involvement in the idea of a rodeo team began when Tim Walters, an ASU board member, approached her and her husband Chase to take the position of coaches for the team. The couple has a significant amount of previous experience in the world of college rodeo. After meeting with Rob Lopez, Assistant Director of competitive sports for Adams State, the Francises were officially named coaches, and a rodeo team was born.
Sanctioned under the NIRA (National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association), Adams State competes in the Grand Canyon Region, which includes Ariz. and NM. Francis explains their inclusion in the Grand Canyon Region occurred because of fewer schools, safer travel with no dangerous passes during winter, and because of the amount of rodeos being held, with some schools hosting two separate rodeos.
ASU’s team has four athletes competing: Lane Cox, Katelyn McRee, Brooke Claunch, and Kassie Howard. Francis says the fall season went “pretty good.” Currently, McRee is tenth in the region in the barrel racing, with Claunch and Howard also doing well. At each NIRA-sanctioned rodeo, the top ten athletes in each event are eligible to compete in the short round, or championship round. McRee has competed in the short round twice for ASU.
The team holds practice at the indoor arena at Francis Farms, between Monte Vista and Alamosa. The Francises feel that this has worked well for the team. Just like any other sport, rodeo requires countless hours of dedication and commitment in order to be successful.
The spring season for the Grand Canyon Region begins on March 2, with the second rodeo hosted by Cochise College in Ft. Huachuca, Arizona. The NIRA teams will compete for the chance to go to the NIFR (National Intercollegiate Finals Rodeo). Once athletes make it to the NIFR, they get the chance to compete to be the college champion for the entire nation in their respective event.
The difference between rodeo and other sports here at ASU is that the rodeo athletes pay for all of their expenses out of pocket. In addition to footing all of their own travel expenses, the athletes are also required to “pay to play.” The cost of hay and the expense of taking care is a horse is also high, with the price of hay at 10 to 12 dollars per bale. With the height of gas prices at the current time, the cost is huge. Our team, however, is determined to foot the bill, and to do well in their upcoming season.
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