Rodeo Team Looks to Continue Successful Season
Shane Glass
Contributing Writer
The rodeo team at the University of Arkansas at Monticello looks forward to the upcoming rodeos this year after a successful season so far, with members placing well in past events.
Having placed first or second in the five rodeos held so far for the 2007-2008 season, the rodeo team hopes it can continue to do so with the rodeo in Meridian, Miss., March 6-8.
One member of the rodeo team, 19-year-old Lana Chastain, a sophomore from Quitman, leads the Ozark Region in the Women's All-around category with 830 points. Chastain also leads the entire National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association in goat tying with 610 points.
A first-generation rodeo girl along with her two older sisters, Chastain enjoys goat tying because it is challenging and requires athleticism. She began goat tying at 9 years old.
According to Rodeo Team coach Jolyn Wells and official regional scores, there are other members of the rodeo team also enjoying success this season, including Megan Fisher, who places second behind Chastain in goat tying with 475 points. The combined effort of the women's team currently places them in first in the region, with a collective 1,855 points.
Wesley Clark Brunson and Billy Bart Brunson stand second and fourth in the Men's All-around category with 965 and 610 points respectively. Overall, the men's team currently places third in the Ozark Region with 2,445 points.
Following the rodeo competition in Meridian, Miss., the Rodeo Team will compete in the second annual Boll Weevil Stampede against 15 colleges and universities across the nation March 27-29. Teams will compete in nine events at the Drew County Fairgrounds, including bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, team roping, breakaway roping, goat tying and barrel racing.
UAM will host the event, and the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association sanctioned the competition. Admission costs $8 for adults, $5 for UAM students with a student identification card and children 6-12, and children 5 and under get in free.
The remaining three rodeos will take place in Martin, Tenn., April 10 through April 12, then Senatobia, Miss., April 17 through April 19, and finally Harrison April 24 through April 26.
For more information, contact Wells at 460-1994 or wellsjo@uamont.edu.
Media Services contributed to this article.
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