STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Jordan Driver flashed a finals-best 2.9 for top honors in breakaway roping to lead the Tarleton State University women’s rodeo team to a third-place finish at the Texas Tech National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association stop over the weekend.
Jordan’s 6.2-second two-head total included her 3.3 in the long go. Teammates Mary Risse and Sage Tomeau finished fourth and fifth. Mary’s 15.1 combined tally featured a 2.8, first in the opening round, and Sage’s 15.7 included a 3.3 first-round time.
Three Tarleton women placed in the top six in goat tying. Emily McDeavitt’s 15.1 on two head was good for second in the average, Keni Labrum posted a 15.9 total for fifth, and Timber Kelly’s 16.5 was sixth.
Acey Pinkston earned a spot in the barrel racing finals with a long go 18.65. Her 18.23 was second in the short go and gave her third in the average.
Tarleton’s men captured fourth place at the Lubbock event, paced by team roper T.J. Allen, who partnered with Odessa College cowboy Luis Mendiaz for a 12.4 first in the average. The pair opened competition with a 5.5 to lead the preliminary round.
Tie-down roper Wyatt Bray’s 20.9 combined score came on runs of 10 and 10.9 seconds and gave him third in the average.
Bareback rider Kade Berry earned an 86, best in the long go, and took second in the average with a two-ride 159. Teammate Payton Lackey’s 156.5, including an 80 in the first round, was fourth in the average.
Saddle bronc rider Cleveland Griffin took fourth overall with rides of 74, fourth in the long go, and 72.
The Texas Tech NIRA rodeo marks the end of the fall season. Competition ramps back up Feb. 23-25 at Odessa College.
A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of approximately 18,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.