Cook takes Home the Gold!
February 28, 2020 - Logan Cook, of Alto, TX, won the Tie Down Roping, Saddlebronc, and Men’s All-Around this past weekend at the Texas A&M-Commerce Rodeo to lead the Panola Rodeo Team to a third place finish overall.
Teammates Daylon Swearingen, Blake Griffin, Grayson Royer, Michael Womack, and Macon Murphy added points to the team’s success. Swearingen, the reigning National Champion Bull Rider, scored big in the long go by winning the bull riding and tied for third in the bareback. Blake Griffin, a sophomore from Center, Tx, along with his partner took third overall in the team roping. Grayson Royer, a freshman from Tyler, scored points by placing 2nd in the long go in bareback. Michael Womack, a sophomore from Bastrop, LA, added points to the team totals with a 5th place finish in the saddle bronc. Macon Murphy, of Keatchie, LA, wound up the points for the team as he placed 6th in the long go in the tie down roping.
McKynzie Bush, of Center, TX, finished second in the barrel racing to lead the Women’s Team this weekend.
As the race for the College National Finals comes down to the final three rodeos, the Panola team is currently sitting 4th in the Southern Region, and only the top two teams qualify for Nationals. In each event the top three qualify for the National Finals. The Panola Team has several pushing for those top spots. Team Roper Healer Clayton Lowery and his partner are ranked #1; Logan Cook, who has qualified for the CNFR 4 straight years is currently sitting 2nd in saddle bronc; Freshman, Chase Runfola is 4th in the bullriding; Blake Griffin and his partner are ranked 7th in the team roping; McKenzie Bush has moved to 6th in the barrel racing as the only member of the women’s team ranked in the Southern Region.
The Panola Ponies are getting in the practice over the next few weeks before they head to the Texas A&M Rodeo March 14th and 15th.
