November 17, 2015 - Panola College rodeo team traveled to Conroe, TX this weekend for the fifth and final rodeo of the fall season. The rodeo was held indoors the ground was good and dry and made for a very even competition. The rodeo at Conroe was the first of the year to have a short round, where the top ten in each event come back for a second run. This makes for a two head competition, which pays an average and increases the very important team points.
Taylor Gooch started the women’s team off with a great run in the goat tying by posting a 7.7 run on her goat in the long go. The time was fast enough to secure a eighth place split and qualify her for the short go round. In the short round she made another great run of 7.3 seconds, winning fourth in the short go. The total time of 15 seconds moved her to fifth in the total average. Taylor returned to Panola College after a two year break from competition. She is returning to winning form and is expected to be among the leaders for the rest of the season.
Cody Wright just keeps on coming, this week it was in the team roping. Cody and his partner knocked out a fast time of 7.3 seconds fast enough for a fourth place split in long go round. The team then posted a time of 11.4 seconds in the short go round, good enough to hang on to fourth in the short go. The total time on two head was 18.7 seconds and was strong enough to win fourth in the average. Wright is an all-around cowboy, entering on both ends of the arena, rough stock and timed events. Cody is a great athlete that will be heavily counted on in the Spring to help the men’s team reach their goal by qualifying for the CNFR in Casper, WY.
In the world’s most dangerous event, the bull riding, Fulton Rutland really shined. Fulton was the only man to ride his long go round bull with a score of 73 points. The only competitor to achieve success in the long go gave him the automatic win in the average, but there where points left on the table for the short-go round. The short go, well known for having the rankest stock, was a one man show. Rutland was able to capitalize and ride his short go round bull for a score of 77 points. Fulton, who has been extremely focused this year, moved himself to number three in the regional standings. Fulton has a very good work ethic and has set his goal for a regional title.
The Panola College rodeo team has some time to heal up and prepare for Spring semester. The next competition will be in Athens, Texas. Feb. 12-13.
