April 26, 2016 - Panola College was at the last regular season rodeo in Wharton, TX. April 22-23. Panola had a good finish for a tuff year of 10 battles.
Panola’s bareback riders started the action off with 3 athletes placing in their event, Kole Chandler 5th, Ethan Andrepont 6th, and Bailey Plaisier 7TH. The 151 team points they earned where very valuable. The bareback riding is a very physical event that requires a lot of strength and physical toughness. These three young men will all be back next year and all have a very good chance of going on to the CNFR.
The women’s event of breakaway roping was a real shoot out. Taylor Gooch was right in the midst of the fire, knocking out a time of 2.4 seconds, to win 2nd place. Gooch is a two event cowgirl that competes in the goat tying as well. Taylor will also return next semester and has her sights set on the finals in both events.
The big man’s event of steer wrestling once again was really taken over by the 155 pound, Caleb Cogbill. Caleb is a four event cowboy who has really put the heat on the rest of the steer wrester’s in the region. Caleb has been placing high at the last three college rodeos. Caleb’s time this weekend of 5.6 seconds was fast enough to win the second place position and earn his team 116 points. Caleb will be back next semester and is expected to be a contender for a regional championship and a shot at the CNFR.
The team roping duo of Laramie and Colton Johnson where back in fine form once again placing 7th in their event with a time of 9.4 seconds. The twins have placed well all season and will be a very serious threat to anyone in the region next season.
The women’s event of barrel racing just keeps getting faster and faster. Panola’s Abby Phillips is no stranger to speed and pushes for more every run. Abby, and her horse Fame, stopped the time clock in just 15.27 seconds. The freshman from Marshall has placed at the last 2 college rodeos and show signs of only getting better. Phillip’s is a great asset to the team and the best thing is she will be here for the next three years. Abby’s goal of being a nurse will keep her in school at Panola for a while, and that’s great for her coach and her team.
The bull riding is rough and tough, just like Oklahoma bull rider Fulton Rutland. Fulton finished the year in the 3rd position and qualified for his first college national finals rodeo (CNFR). Fulton is a second year athlete who showed signs of greatness as a freshman. He has worked hard and focused on becoming the best bull rider he can be. Fulton is the kind of guy you can always count on to get the job done, very smart, very dedicate and very determined. Fulton will compete at the CNFR, June 10- 18 in Casper, WY.
The men’s team earned a total of 299.5 points for a fourth place finish, while the women’s team earned a total of 190 points for a fourth place finish as well. The 2016 season will begin here at home September 30th and October 1st, come join us and help cheer our athletes on to a national title
Panola College Rodeo Team Places 4th
