Panola College Rodeo Team Dominates in Athens

February 16, 2016 - Panola College rodeo team was back in action February 12-13 for the 6th Southern Region Rodeo in Athens TX.

The men’s team started the weekend off right with two freshmen placing in their event, the Bareback Riding. Kole Chandler scored 71 points in long go round action, while teammate Bailey Plaisier,  scored a 69 point long go ride. Both scores where good enough to earn them a spot in the top ten for a very important short round ride. The short round proved to be very exciting and very lucrative for the two young men. Bailey scored a 75 point ride, while Kole scored a 74 point ride, both where good enough rides to earn points for the team in the short go, long go and the average.  Kole won 4th overall earning 70 team points, Bailey won 6th overall earning 50 team points.

Taylor Gooch would rise to the challenge for the Women’s team in the Goat tying event. Taylor’s first round she posted a fast time of 8.4 seconds, the short round time was 8.5 seconds. The total time of 16.9 seconds was good enough for a 3rd place finish and 87.5 team points. 

The Bull riding event was dominated by Panola College this weekend. Sophomores, Fulton Rutland and Braden Richardson, both rode their long go bulls and where two of the top four bull riders to make the short go round. Fulton scored 82 points in round 1 and 78 points in round 2. The scores posted were good enough to win both go rounds, and the average, earning the team 180 points. Braden scored 73 points in the long go round and a 4th place finish, claiming 60 points for individual standings. The big weekend for the Oklahoma cowboy, Fulton Rutland, rocketed him to first place in the Southern Region standings. The top 2 in the Regional standings will move on to the CNFR in July. 

The Rodeo Team will be back in action again February 26-27 in Robstown, TX., where Texas A&M of Kingsville will host the 7th Southern Region rodeo.

Submitted by Jeffrey Collins