ENMU squads perform well in rodeo at Vernon

VERNON, Texas — Eastern New Mexico University’s rodeo teams posted their best showings of the season in a Southwest Region rodeo over the weekend, hosted by Vernon College.

ENMU’s men tied with Tarleton State for third place with 160 points, trailing Texas Tech (173 1/3) and West Texas A&M (165), while the women finished third with 135 points to trail Tech (175) and Tarleton (150).

It was the third competition in four weekends for the Greyhounds and Zias, who have only one more event this fall — at Texas Tech Nov. 18-20.

“We had a good rodeo,” ENMU coach David Browder said. “The men had several opportunities to win the rodeo, but I was still proud of everyone. They all did a good job.”

Sophomore Brittany Bennett was second in the long-go, first in the short-go and first in average barrel racing, accounting for 110 points for the Zias. She had placed second in the average in the first two events of the fall — ENMU’s own rodeo and the Sul Ross State event in Alpine, Texas.

“Brittany Bennett just keeps on improving,” Browder said. “She was second at Alpine (Texas, Sul Ross State) and second in our rodeo), so she’s leading the region right now.”

Also scoring for the Zias was junior Kelcey Foreman, who split third and fourth in the long-go and was fourth in average in goat tying competition.

Sophomore Stetson Herrera accounted for 75 points for the men, placing second in average in bareback riding with 148 points. He was first in the long-go competition and split fourth and fifth in the short-go.

Senior Jared Green added 50 points for the Hounds, placing fourth in average in bull riding. He was first in the long-go round.

The other points came from seniors Royce Lynch and James Gilliland in team-roping. After splitting third through fifth in the long-go and placing fourth in the short-go, they were fourth in average.