March 12, 2018 - Panola College Rodeo team regained its lead in the Southern Region standings February 23-24 in Robstown, TX. The Texas A&M - Kingsville hosted rodeo proved to be very important for a lot of individuals fighting for their shot at qualifying for the CNFR. The following individuals helped their team to regain its lead:
Logan Cook started things off right in the Calf Roping with a 8.8 seconds, topping the rest of the field by three tenths of a second. Coach Collins said “That was an amazing run and he made it look so effortless, just awesome to see him do that”. The win helped Cook to move to 2nd place in the standings and help insure himself a qualification to the CNFR. Logan didn’t stop there; he also placed in the Team Roping along with his partner Colton Johnson. The pair teamed up and completed their run in 7.5 seconds, well enough time for a 6th place finish. The most important part of that run was it moves both Logan and Colton in the top ten in the region, and with three rodeo’s left to go leaves plenty of time to qualify for their first CNFR in the Team Roping.
Travis Chapman won 2nd place in the Bareback Riding. Travis drew a horse he knew really well and was able to make an excellent spur ride and score 76 points. He is the number 2 man in the region and well within striking distance of being the number one man. Coach Collins says” Travis is very talented young man with a lot of grit and try. He will be a huge hitter for us at the CNFR. I do expect Travis to win the region and be a contender for the National Championship in Casper.”
Two Bull Riders came out with valuable points at Robstown. Koby Radley and Ross Freeman, both freshman, did an amazing job of just riding there bulls. Ross scored a 78 point ride for a 3rd place finish while Koby scored 73 for a 6th place finish. The two are both seated in the top ten, Koby is in 2nd place and Ross at 7th. Koby has been in the lead a good part of the season and is right on the heels of the number one man, Ross just cracked into the top ten and with a strong finish, both will be expecting their first CNFR qualification. Collins said “Ross and Koby are not only great college rodeo athletes, but compete and win on the pro rodeo circuit as well. These two young men are very mentally mature athletes with huge goals and expectations of themselves. They are a great asset to this team and I expect them to achieve all they are set out to do. Watch for these young men, you will be hearing a lot about them.”
Logan Cook also competes in the Saddle Bronco Riding, although this was an off weekend and he did not receive points in that event, he remains way out in front of the men’s All-Around race. In rodeo an All-Around hand is a cowboy that competes in two or more events, Logan does three. Logan is number 2 in Calf Roping, number 2 in Saddle Bronco, and number 7 in the Team Roping, and number one in the All-Around. Coach says” I believe Logan has the talent and drive to win National Titles in more than one event, he has really matured mentally in the last year. His work ethic and discipline has caught another gear. That’s exciting to watch an athlete compete in that manner. I think it’s going to be a great CNFR for him and us as well.”
The Rodeo Team will travel to Bryan for the 8th rodeo of the 10 in the Southern Region on March 16-17.
