- Articles
Tylen Layton, 21, born and raised in Copan, Oklahoma has been roping calves since the age of four. He is currently a calf roper on the NEO rodeo team. Layton said his next door neighbor Lon Chaney encouraged and taught him to rope as a kid, and Chaney let Layton use his indoor arena to practice. Layton was the recipient of the Annual NEO Recruiting Rodeo scholarship in 2013, which led to his rodeo career at NEO A&M. Layton has been very successful during his time at NEO. He recently won the Kansas State tie down roping and came in fourth as a heeler in the team roping division. He received a buckle for both events and was named All-Around Champion Cowboy. Success is no stranger to Layton; other accolades he won include being named Reserve Champion at the Indian National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada where he took home close to $10,000 in cash and prizes.
In his time outside the arena, Layton enjoys being involved in the agriculture industry by trading cattle and being involved in the stock show world by trading show animals. After graduating from NEO, Layton said he plans to attend either Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas or continue his education at NEO in the Pathways Program through a partnership with Missouri Southern State University to obtain his degree in agriculture education.
Layton isn’t alone in his success this year. The rodeo team as a whole has been very successful in the first half of their season. Both NEO’s men and women’s teams are currently standing in second place in the Central Plains Region and five calf ropers are all holding spots in the top 15. “I am excited about our upcoming rodeos because the team has been on a roll. I am so proud of our student athletes for their dedication and hard work,” said Rodeo Coach Kolby Ungeheuer. “If you consider how young the team is, it is that much more impressive.”
NEO has one of the most competitive rodeo teams in the Central Plains Region and has sent students to the College National Finals Rodeo the last three years under Ungeheuer’s leadership. Sam Nave, Garret King, Quinten Inman and Jacob Suver are all in the top 10 in calf roping, while Bailee Snow currently ranks second in the region in barrel racing and Mattie Moore and Tara Holland follow right behind her. Clay Gulick and Patrick Houchins are in the top 15, and Tyler Worley is currently winning the team roping division.
Spring Rodeos (2015) Garden City, Kan. – Feb. 27, 28 and March 1 Fort Scott, Kan. – March 6, 7 and 8 Weatherford, Okla. – April 9, 10 and 11 Hays, Kan. – April 17, 18 and 19 Guymon, Okla. – April 23, 24 and 25
