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The Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) Men’s Rodeo Team sits second in the region after finishing third overall in Alva, Okla., at Northwestern Oklahoma State University for the final fall season National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) rodeo. With four spring rodeos in 2020, the NEO team looks to hold on to the top-two spot, which would earn them a trip to the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo. “I’m very proud of the way this year’s team as competed this fall,” said Head Coach Kolby Ungeheuer. “This is the best start the Men’s team has had during my time at NEO, so I’m very excited to see what the spring brings and hope to qualify the entire team for the CNFR!”
The men’s team secured their spot thanks to multiple top 3 finishes. Sophomore Dawson Turner took second in the average for calf roping. The Ag Business major from Sindey, Ark., was followed by Sophomore Dawson Appleton, an Ag Business major from Copan, Okla., who finished third. Freshman Mason Coach, an Ag Business major from Bronaugh, Mo., finished third in steer wrestling. Freshman Hadley Sanders, a Ranch Management major from Franklin, Ga., also broke the top-ten in steer wrestling. He also placed top-ten in team roping. NEO had another team roping top-ten finish in McKade Wickett. The sophomore Ag Business major from Muldrow, Okla., also finished top-ten in calf roping. Also earning top-ten finishes were Freshman Ross McGuire, an Ag Business major from Webbers Falls, Okla., and Cole Hammons, a freshman Equine & Ranch Management major from Talala, Okla.
Kaitlyn Ricke, a business major from Lawton, Iowa, led the women’s team and won 4th in the average in the Breakaway Roping. Ricke’s efforts have earned her top-fifteen regional rankings in both goat tying and breakaway roping. “It’s exciting to see so many step up in big moments and compete at a very high level,” added Ungeheuer. “We hope to continue our momentum into the spring semester.”
NEO will host the 10th Annual Alumni Rodeo on Saturday, Nov. 23, in the NEO Indoor Arena. Long rounds will start at 9 a.m. and short rounds at 7 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and children 12 and under are free. The high point high school senior will win a two-year tuition scholarship worth over $4,500. The NEO Development Foundation also funds two textbook scholarships. The events include bareback bronc, saddle bronc, bull riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, team roping, breakaway roping, and goat tying. The events will award a top twelve made up of six alumni and six high school students. There will also be cash prizes.
Before the short rounds, the NEO Aggies will host a barbecue cookout at 5:30 p.m., which is included in the admission cost. For more information, contact Kolby Ungeheuer at 918-540-6480. (Photo from left: Mason Couch, Dawson Appleton, Hadley Sanders, Kaitlyn Ricke, McKade Wickett, Ross McGuire, Dawson Turner, Cole Hammons)
