Panola College Sends Six Cowboys to College National Finals Rodeo

May 14, 2019 - The Panola College Rodeo Team went back into action April 26-27 in Wharton, Texas, and wow was it great!

Panola College Sophomore, Tyler Johnson, dominated the Bareback Riding. Tyler won the event with an 82-point bareback ride. The win just pushed Tyler into more of a commanding lead in the regional standings. Tyler Johnson is the Southern Region Champion Bareback Rider, and will be moving on to the CNFR, in Casper, WY. Coach Collins says “Tyler has worked toward this goal for 2 years. Last year he shattered his leg and was unable to qualify. Tyler will be there and I promise he has done his homework, if you’re going to beat Tyler you better be prepared. He’s definitely on a mission!”

Logan Cook, the 2018 and 2019 All-Around Champion, does it again! Cook won 3rd in the Saddle Bronc Riding were he finished the year in the number 2 position. Logan will be attending his 3rd CNFR, in both the Saddle Bronc Riding and the Tie down Roping. Logan has won both his All-Around titles by competing in 3 events, Tie Down Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding and Team Roping. Jeffrey Collins says “Logan is simply amazing, he can ride, rope and do anything a horseback you ask him to do. He will win a National Title and many more to come. We will miss him when he is gone, and this team is a whole lot better because of his presence here at Panola. I think when you look up the word “cowboy” in the Dictionary there should be a picture of Logan Cook, or as we call him Cookie.”

Jackson Williams took the title home in the Steer Wrestling with a 5.1 second run. Jackson is a Sophomore that will graduate and move on to AUM (Arkansas University at Monticello). Jackson’s win pushed him to 5th position in the Southern Region Standings. Williams weighs about 145 and has been placing in most of his events, and it’s an extremely physical event that is generally dominated by heavy weights.

Macon Murphy, Tie down Roper from Keatchie, La., won 3rd place with a 9.3 second run. Macon has been fighting for a spot in the top three in the regional standings all season. The points he earned at Wharton pushed him into the number 3 position, and he is moving on to the CNFR. Coach Collins says “Macon is a determined hard working young man. His horse is always in good shape and well attended to also. I expect great things from both of them. The great thing is he is just a freshman, and we get him back next year!”

Daylon Swearingen won 3rd in the Bull Riding to clinch a spot at the CNFR as well. Daylon was out first semester with an injury, and had to make up for lost time. Swearingen ended up the season 5th overall in the Bull Riding, enough to qualify as a team member. Daylon is a Sophomore and will be returning next year to compete in all three rough stock events the Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, and the Bull Riding. Daylon also finish 2nd in the Bareback Riding with an 81-point ride. The two placings totaled together helped him to win the All-Around title at that rodeo. 

Campbell Grove, Sophomore moving on to Sam Houston State University, won 3rd in the Girls Barrel Racing. Campbell has been winning on a fairly young horse named P, a 5-year-old. Coach Collins says “Campbell is a great kid that has been a great asset to our program here, we will miss her. I know she has a great future in our sport, and in life. She is an amazing young lady and I am glad we got to be a small part of her life.”

The Panola College Ponies are the 2019 Southern Region Men’s Team Champions! That means 6 men are moving on to the CNFR. Those men are pictured above: Daylon Swearingen - Bull Riding; Logan Cook - Saddle Bronc Riding and Tie Down Roping; Macon Murphy - Tie Down Roping; Ross Freeman - Bull Riding; Tyler Johnson - Bareback Riding; and (not pictured) Clayton Lowry - Team Roping.