Colter Harden – 5th in BB, Aaron Lide – 5th in SB, Cory Baudoin – 7th in BB, Cinnamon Johnston – 10th in GT

We have eight women and eight men returning from last year.  We have two women and 14 men joining the Wrangler Rodeo team as freshmen.  This should be a positive factor and make it easier to select a men’s and women’s team for each of the ten rodeos.  We compete against over 400 contestants from 15 colleges and universities at each of our ten contests throughout the year.

It is my responsibility to select 4 women and 6 men to make up the teams for OC at each rodeo.  Our returning athletes know what they are capable of and what it takes to win.  Our freshmen consist of athletes from high school state champions to walk-ons who are trying hard to improve.

What our athletes have won in the past is history; how hard they are willing to work and want to win is still in the future.  If our student-athletes dedicate themselves to hard work in the classroom and in the arenas, we will have men and women representing OC at the College National Finals.  We are definitely expecting a stronger finish than last year.

Success usually requires sacrifice and not all athletes are willing to put as much into their sports as it takes to be winners at this level.  It is my goal to instill in my student-athletes that they will only get out of life what they are willing to put into it.  Not all athletes are willing to give up those things that keep them from reaching the top of their game.

Ashley Brown – SO – Ashley is a dual purpose student-athlete.  She is a past Permian Panther cheerleader and presently captain of the OC Wrangler Cheerleaders.  She is a State Qualifier in goat tying and is 100% hustle.  Ashley should letter this year in the goat tying event.

Kirby Birks – FR – Kirby has a lot of heart.  She came here from Australia and is trying new horses.  She is determined to be a winner in college rodeo in the USA.

Dana Johnson – SO – Dana is a returning student-athlete and has a new breakaway and goat horse.  She is fired up and ready to win.  Dana lettered last year and plans on being at the CNFR this year.

Cinnamon Johnston – SO –2008 Academic Excellence Award winner who has returned to have a great year after being injured the majority of last year.  Cinnamon is as tough as they come in the goat tying and roping.  She has already lettered and wants a National Championship.  She should achieve her goal.

Rikki Jones – SO – Rikki goes at it 100% and has already earned her letter jacket.  She is going to earn a lot of points this year.

Kira Knaupp – FR – Kira has a good barrel horse and is working hard at making some winning runs.

April Loyd – SO – This young lady has a great work ethic and lettered at the 1st rodeo of the year.  She is tough in all three women’s events and should have a great year.

Dani McGuire – SO – Dani is an outstanding student-athlete.  She was an Academic Excellence award winner and lettered her freshmen year.  I expect her to qualify for the CNFR this year.

Amy Pearce – FR – Amy is a past high school rodeo barrel racer and queen contestant from Oregon.  She has moved to Texas to begin her collegiate rodeo career and pursue a business degree.

Kyla Yarborough – SO – Kyla is a good student-athlete and works all the time.  She is a breakaway roper and goat tyer.  Kyla has become a lot more aggressive in the roping and is improving her times every week.

Clay Anthony – FR – Clay broke his wrist at the AJRA finals in August.  He missed the 1st rodeo but will be riding bareback broncs at Sul Ross and team roping by Vernon.  Clay is a freshman and ready to rodeo.

Cory Baudoin – SO – Cory had an injury in August that will prevent him from competing this fall.  He is a tough bareback rider and would have made the Wranglers a lot of points this fall.  Cory is the Southwest Region Bareback Riding director and does a great job.  He will be back in action for the six spring rodeos and will be a real asset to the Wranglers.

Kevin Carter – FR – This guy is quiet and loves to rope.  He is heeling for Kody Porterfield and they will win some of the team roping this year.  Kevin is a 2008 AJRA world champ and is ready to win.

Daniel Dictson – SO – Daniel knows how he is supposed to ride bulls.  As soon as he decides to focus jump for jump he will win.  Daniel is a great student and a fine young man.

Chad Engle – FR – Chad is a great student-athlete who heels with the best of them.  He is partnered up with his brother who attends Sul Ross and heads for Chad.

Seth Hall – FR – Perhaps the toughest “3 event-timed event” cowboy I have ever coached at Odessa College.  Seth is a winner in the arena.  If he maintains mental and physical discipline, he has the ability to be a college and professional champion.  Seth lettered at the 1st college rodeo placing in two of his three events.

Steven Hayes – FR – Steven is a hard worker who is dedicated to being a good tiedown roper.  He is also heading in the team roping for Jake Heritage.

Jacob Heritage – FR – Jake has been around OC a lot but started his freshman year in college at 23.  I’m proud of the fact that he wants his education and will be able to compete for the OC Wranglers.  Jake is a heeler for Steven Hayes and also ropes calves.

Seth Mahaffey – FR – This guy has won a bunch at an early age.  He enters all three timed events and is going to ride bulls too.  Seth is a good student-athlete and is the recipient of our Sandhills “Shawn McMullan” memorial full ride scholarship.  He is a winner.

Chad McNerlin – SO – Chad is a 2008 Academic Excellence Award winner and recipient of the Chris Irwin memorial scholarship award.  Chad competes in all three timed events and lettered his freshman year.  He is seasoned and ready to win this year.  He qualified for the short go at the 1st rodeo of the year.  He is a great student and a winner.

Stetson Lewis – SO – Stetson lettered his freshman year and won the Permian Basin Fair bullriding this year on September 5, 2008.  This guy has a world of ability and if he will stay mentally focused and work hard physically, he can be a college champ.

Oscar Moralez – FR – This guy has fun roping and doubled two in a row at the 1st rodeo of the season.  He and his header, Colt Smith, won 2nd in the short go and 2nd in the average at ENMU.  They already have a Wrangler rodeo letter jacket and are ready for the next three rodeos this fall.

Jeremy Nix – FR – Jeremy has a good work ethic and is improving every week.  He ropes calves and heads in the team roping event.

Kody Porterfield – SO – This guy is a cowboy and works all three timed events.  He is also a hand at roping bulls in the practice pen and bull rides.  Kody is teamed up with Kevin Carter this year and they will win some points together.  Kody was the winner of the Jackie Kirk memorial scholarship in 2008 and helps everyone on the team.

Randy Quartieri – SO – Randy has a world of ability.  As soon as he learns to “truly” believe in himself, he will ride a lot of good bulls and win a bunch.

Derk Robinson – SO – Derk was a 2008 Academic Excellence award winner and lettered his freshman year.  He is tough in the saddle bronc and bull riding and should be a team leader for the Wranglers this year.  He is the recipient of the Woods Boots foundation scholarship for this year.

Dustin Roller – FR – This is one tough guy.  He has ridden with some injuries that would sideline most cowboys.  Dustin works hard and will get it all together in saddle bronc riding.

Colt Smith – FR – Colt earned his letter jacket heading at the first rodeo of the season.  He and his partner “Rowdy” Moralez won 2nd in the team roping at the ENMU rodeo.  Keep it up guys.

Joseph Vazquez – FR – This guy wants to be a great student-athlete.  He is willing to study hard and work hard.  Joseph loves to ride bulls and is very coachable.  I predict that he will letter his freshman year.

Austin Wahlert – SO – Austin really tried at the 1st rodeo of the year.  He came very close to qualifying for his 1st short go.  I think that was a real confidence builder for him and he knows his goal is in reach.