November 2, 2017 - Panola College rodeo team traveled to Lake Charles, La. on the 27th and the 28th for the McNeese State University rodeo. The rodeo was very exciting to say the least.
The bull riding was taken over by two Panola bull riders, Koby Radley and Boudreaux Campbell, both are freshman at Panola College and both are at the top of the leader board in the Southern Region Standings. Koby started the action off with a 79 point bull ride and a 1st place finish. Boudreaux followed up his team mate with a 74 point ride and a 3rd place finish. The young bull riders move to number 1 and 2 in the standings, with Boudreaux number 1 with 466 points and Koby number 2 with 416 points. The top 3 point leaders in the region will advance on to the CNFR in June; both bull riders will be expected to advance to the college finals.
Bareback rider, Travis Chapman, continued to fight for his spot at the top of the field scoring 76 points for a 2nd place finish. Travis, a sophomore from Woodville, has had a very good season placing in his event at all four Southern Region Rodeos. Travis not only helped his team to the victory but also helped himself to the number 2 spot in the Regional Standings, with a total of 418.50 points. Chapman is expected to be a strong contender for regional and national titles.
Logan Cook was back to his winning ways this weekend in the calf roping. Cook tied down his calf in 9.3 seconds, and secured a 3rd place finish. Logan’s weekend helped push him to the number 1 position in the Southern Region All around Standings. To be qualified as an all-around competitor a cowboy or cowgirl must enter 2 or more events. Logan enters the Calf roping, Saddle Bronco riding, and the Team roping at all the college rodeos. Logan is now setting number 2 in the Saddle Bronco’s, number 3 in the Calf roping, and has no sign of letting up there. “I think Logan has the potential to be a National Champion in all of his events, he is a fierce competitor and one of the best cowboys I have had the pleasure to know, let alone coach. Logan will without any doubt in my mind continue to be a leader for this team and continue to be very successful in the arena.” said Jeffrey Collins, Panola College Rodeo Coach.
Tyler Johnson also continues to impress his peers in the Bareback Riding, Tyler scored a 70 points this weekend and finished 6th. Tyler, a freshman from Athens, is now setting in the number 4 position in the Southern Regional Standings. “Tyler is a very hard working and dedicated young man; he is someone I can count on to do all the little things it takes to win, be in great shape mentally and physically, shows up and gets the job done. It is great to have such a young athlete show such leadership that Tyler is giving us” said Coach Collins.
Panola College Ponies men’s team won 1st place this weekend due to these individuals’ efforts. Panola continues to hold on to the number 1 spot in the Southern Region. The rodeo team has the last rodeo of the fall season scheduled for November 10th and 11th, in Conroe, hosted by SAMSU.
