The Eastern New Mexico News - Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Staff report

CASPER, Wyo. — Eastern New Mexico University didn’t get the College National Finals Rodeo women’s team title it was hoping for, but ENMU did claim a couple of national champions in Saturday’s short go.

Senior Logan Medlin and partner Billy Bob Brown of Tarleton State successfully defended their title of a year ago in team roping, finishing with a time of 25.7 seconds in the average after also winning Saturday’s short go in 5.7 seconds.

Meantime, junior Hayden Segelke earned first in the average in goat tying with a time of 26.0 seconds. She was second in Saturday’s short go at 6.4 seconds, trailing only Macy Fuller of Central Arizona (6.1), the women’s all-around champion.

Also, junior Keely Weger placed eighth in the short go in goat tying (8.2) and was eighth in the average (28.2).

The Zias finished third in team standings with 420 points, trailing only Central Arizona (635) and Chadron State (472 1/2).

“You always wish for things to be better, but to be third here at nationals is a great privilege,” ENMU coach Albert Flinn said.

Medlin, ENMU’s lone men’s qualifier, accounted for 280 points, good for 15th place in team standings.

Medlin and Brown were second entering the short go, but overtook leaders Cody Kohleffel of Wharton C.C. and Jonathan Torres of McNeese State, who posted a short go time of 6.2.

“We had a good steer,” said Medlin, from Tatum. “We kind of knew what we needed to do, and we did it.”

He said having won last year was beneficial.

“That experience helps,” he said. “We both knew what we needed to do. We had a game plan, and we were able to stick to it.”

After Saturday’s awards ceremonies, Medlin and Brown were slated to drive around 1,000 miles to Reno, Nev., for a pro competition starting Monday.

Segelke, from Snyder, Colo., had the lead in the average most of the week. As the last competitor, she knew what she needed on her final run, and she got exactly that.

She said her quick start during the week was big.

“When I got that first run out of my system, I was OK,” she said. “I started off really well and that helped me out at the end.”

A transfer from Northeastern Junior College in Colorado, Segelke was the CNFR runnerup in goat tying last year but was the women’s all-around champion. Weger, who also was one of three Zias competing in breakaway roping, finishing seventh in the all-around standings.

Taygen Schuelke of Sheridan College was the men’s all-around champion, with Brown finishing second.

Tennessee-Martin took men’s team honors with 755 points, while Tarleton was second at 730 and Oklahoma Panhandle State third at 710.