STEPHENVILLE, Texas — The Tarleton State University rodeo teams overpowered the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Southwest Region this past weekend at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales to start the 2024-25 season.
The reigning national champion men’s team, led by saddle bronc rider Bailey Small, amassed 500 points for first place. Tarleton State’s women, paced by firsts from breakaway roper Jacelyn Frost and goat tyer Tori Brower, accumulated 400 points for top honors.
Small’s win in Portales came on a long-go ride score of 84 combined with an 85 in the finals, also best of the night. Teammate Coleman Shallbetter’s 148 on twin 74s was good for fourth in the event.
Bareback riders Tuker Carricato, Roedy Farrell and Taylor Carmody also finished in the top 10 at ENMU. Carricato posted a second-place 78-79-157, Farrell’s 78-78-156 was third and Carmody’s 73.5-71-144.5 put him in seventh.
Team roper Skyler Dominguez partnered with Texas Tech’s Clayton McNichol for a fourth-place 10-11.5-21.5 in team roping.
Frost’s win came on times of 2.4 in the long-go, coupled with a 2.3 in the finals for a two-head 4.7. Fellow breakaway roper Karmen Martin flashed a 2.8 in the preliminaries, then added a 12.9 in the short-go for her eighth-place 15.7.
Brower’s effort at ENMU included a finals-best 7.8 and a two-run 15.6. Keni Labrum took third in goat tying, turning in a 7.7-8.7-16.4.
Barrel racers Jordan Driver and Lindsey-Kay Reichert were third and fourth at Portales. Driver posted a second-place 17.29 in the long-go, then a 17.66 in the finals for a 34.95 total. Reichert ran the cloverleaf in times of 17.47 and 17.74 for her 35.21.
Both Tarleton State teams return to action this weekend at Sul Ross State University in Alpine.
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.