Rodeo Roundup: T-Birds Gain Momentum with Wins at Ranger and Western Texas Rodeo

The New Mexico Junior College rodeo teams are at the midpoint of the season after coming off an impressive stretch where they have won events in back-to-back rodeos.

The T-Birds were the kings of the bull riding competition at the Ranger College Rodeo March 25. Jake Dunham earned the Champion Bull Rider distinction with his performance in Sweetwater. He started the long round with a fantastic ride and then capitalized in the short round with another solid run to win on average. 

"We've started to gain some momentum this spring with a couple of wins in the last two rodeos. It was great to see Jake Dunham dominate the bull riding event at Ranger College rodeo," NMJC rodeo head coach Stewart Kinley said. "Jake is extremely talented and was able to capitalize on some really good draws. He made the best ride I've ever seen him make in the first round and then followed it up with another good ride in the short round. The bull riding was a tough event with several rides in the short round so it was good to see Jake come out on top of the average. He definitely made a statement and proved that he belongs at the top of the region."

Dusty Golden also was productive in the bull riding competition making it to the short round and placing in the Top 10.  

"Dusty was just coming back off an injury and made a great ride in the long round," Kinley said. "It was good to see him back. Unfortunately, Dusty is on the injured list again with a broken ankle this time. We're hoping for a speedy recovery for him and hopefully he'll have a good summer."

Chase Tkach made the short round and placed in the Top 10 in steer wrestling for the first time this spring.

"It was great to see Chase overcome all the challenges of rodeo and have his hard work pay off with a Top 10 finish," Kinley said. "He's steer wrestling well and hopefully he can keep some momentum going." 

Western Texas Rodeo 

Chase Skocdopole and Stran Pollitt were the stars of the Western Texas College Rodeo for the Thunderbirds April 1. The duo came out of the long round in fifth place. Then they turned it up a notch after a great draw in the short round.  Skocdopole and Pollitt took advantage of their good fortune and won the team roping competition in an impressive showing in Snyder. 

"Chase Skocdopole and Stran Pollitt dominated in the little building, which is a tough team roping set up," Kinley said. "These guys rope really well. They did their jobs and took advantage of two good steers. With a fifth-place finish in the first round and a good draw in the short round, these guys won the short round and made it look easy." 

Ashlyn Goven performed well in the barrel race in the long round of the WTC Rodeo however she was the odd woman out after missing the final spot in the short round by the thinnest of margins. 

"Ashlyn ended up in 11th spot in the long round of the barrel racing at WTC, we call it the crying hole," Kinley said. "She made a great run and was .02 seconds from making it back. Hopefully she can build off that as well heading into the last two rodeos." 

Looking at the Southwest region standings, Jake Dunham currently ranks No. 9 in the region with 140 points in bull riding. Chase Skocdopole ranks No. 10 in the region as the team roping header with 160 points. Team roping heeler Stran Pollitt is ranked No. 10 in the region with 160 points as well. Rounding out the T-Birds in the region standings is Ashlyn Goven, who is No. 9 in the region for the women in barrel racing.

"Overall, it's good to get a couple of wins under our belt. These T-Birds are so talented and they're practicing smart and staying sharp," Kinley said. "Hopefully the momentum we got over the last couple weeks will drive us into the last two rodeos of the season at Howard College and Tarleton State University."

The T-Birds next competition is April 13-15 in Big Spring, Texas at the Howard College Rodeo.