Aggie ropers take the reins during weekend tournament
The Utah State rodeo men’s team put forth a strong effort for a fifth place finish at the Utah State Fall Stampede in Logan on Friday and Saturday, competing against other teams from the Rocky Mountain Region association.
The Aggies finished with a score of 230, falling to first place Idaho State (1,030), Southern Idaho (800), Weber State (660), and Utah Valley (530) to end their fall season.
“Unfortunately the team this year isn’t quite as consistent as it has been in the past,” said head coach Jeffery Hall. “We’ll have kids who are great one week, and then somehow things fall apart. All in all this weekend I’d say we did average.”
The Aggies’ best performance came from senior Garrett Thurston, who finished first overall as healer for the team-roping event. Thurston finished the event with a winning time of 18.1 seconds.
Hall said Thurston’s performance was impressive.
“Garrett has been a competitive roper ever since high school. He ropes a lot, takes extra time to practice and it pays off.”
Thurston, a Smithfield native, was roping with a new partner (Cy Eames from Idaho State) because his normal roping partner, Trevor Merrill, could not be present for the event.
“That was [Thurston and Eames’] first time roping together and they did extremely well,” Hall said. “Garrett is a real handy roper and can jump in with anyone when it comes to catching a steer.”
Freshman Jace Austin also performed well, finishing fifth overall in the steer wrestling competition in 18.1 seconds. Austin, also an Idaho native, recently returned home from a mission with the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and jumped on with the team.
The women’s team fought hard, finishing fifth overall with a final score of 110.
Senior Michelle Hatch finished second overall in the barrel racing competition, falling less than one second behind winner Samantha Logan of Southern Idaho, with a 35.17 second finish.
Paige Morgan, women’s team captain, said she is impressed with the girl wranglers on the team and has big hopes.
“We have a lot of really good girls and we all get along really well. Some of our girls are getting a little tough luck, but we’ll be getting it together for spring,” she said.
Morgan, a junior, said one of the biggest strengths for the women’s team is their chemistry.
“We have a lot more girls than in the past, so it’s shocking we get along so well. Everyone is willing to share and there is no bad mouthing. We all really want to see each other do well.”
The Aggies will start practicing for spring season in March. Hall said he expects continued growth and improvement.
“We have a lot of potential and should pick things up come spring. It should be fun to watch.”
– steve.schwartzman@aggiemail.usu.edu