T-Bird (Rodeo) Puts 2 in Short Round at Howard Rodeo

Tyler Espenson and Taci Flinn made it to the Short Round at the Howard College Rodeo in Big Spring, Texas on Saturday, April 12.

Espenson made a good run in the Long Round for the tie down roping finishing fourth with a time of 10.2 seconds. The Long Round finish scored 30 points. A no time in the Short Round led to a 10th-place finish.

"Tyler had a great run in the first round in Big Spring. He's got a young horse that he's cracked out and she worked outstanding all weekend," NMJC men's rodeo head coach Stewy Kinley said. "It was good to get him back to winning in the tie down roping. Unfortunately, he missed his short round calf but we're looking forward to seeing what he can do at our last rodeo when we head to Tarleton."

"Tyler also placed in the first round of the steer roping so he gained a few more points towards nationals," Kinley said.

Taci Flinn recorded a 16.15 second time in the barrel racing for the Long Round to sit in ninth place. Flinn's 26.36 in the Short Round brought her average to 42.51 which was 10th overall.  

"Taci had a good showing in Howard," women's rodeo head coach Alexa Wilcox said. "Her horse Reddy has had a great spring, and we knew she liked the arena in Big Spring, so I was happy to see them capitalize on it."

"Our girls have had a great spring and have continued to work hard," Coach Wilcox said. "I'm looking forward to see what they accomplish in Stephenville."

The Thunderbirds have two team roping pairs in prime position for a spot in the College National Finals Rodeo. The top 3 in the header heeler standings receive a bid to the CNFR in Casper, Wyoming.

Header Lyvan Gonzalez has 345 points and heeler Cason Hatley has 345 points as they both sit in second place. Header Holland Taylor-Roukema has 260 points in seventh place and heeler Irvin Varela has 260 points in 6th place.

"As far as our team ropers go, we're in a really good spot with both teams to be able to make it to nationals," Coach Kinley said. "Lyvan and Cason are sitting second, and Holland and Irvin are about 80 points behind them. The best thing they can do at Tarleton is just forget about the standings and go rope their steers like they've been doing all year long. I'm looking forward to seeing if they can win the last rodeo and we'll let the year end points worry about themselves."

The T-Birds will have a week off before competing in the Tarleton Rodeo, the final rodeo of the year, April 24-26 in Stephenville, Texas.