Rider headed to Nationals in saddle bronc
The Utah State rodeo club can check sending a rough stock rider to Nationals off of its to-do list. The club wrapped up its season this weekend, competing in two rodeos in three days.
Traveling to Heber City and Utah Valley University, the rodeo club concluded its fall season with a national-qualifying saddle bronc rider and winning the Coach of the Year award.
Ken Lym led the region in saddle bronc all year until this weekend. Bucking off his horse at the Rocky Mountain Regional Rodeo on Thursday and on a re-ride opportunity at UVU Friday, Lym fell to second place but still earned the right to go to nationals.
Lym will travel to Casper, Wyo., June 11-18 to compete against the nation’s best college contenders at the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association finals.
Among rodeo action came regional year-end awards for the contestants and coaches. At the end of the year, members of the Rocky Mountain Region vote on several awards to give out to the contestants and clubs. Coach Jeff Hall won Coach of the Year for the first time this weekend for his time and effort with the rodeo club.
Club President Kate Clissold said Hall deserves the award for all his hard work.
“It was a huge honor for (Hall), he does so much for the team, and we were excited to see him get recognized for the things he does for the club,” Clissold said.
The season ended on mixed results as both the men’s and women’s teams competed in their third Rocky Mountain Regional rodeo and final fall season rodeo. The regional provided opportunities for the members to earn double points while running in one go-round.
The men’s team went into the regional rodeo sitting in second place, within reach to qualify for nationals and was poised to maintain points and hold off College of Southern Idaho to go to nationals as a team.
Not earning the points they needed, the men’s team dropped to third in the region and out of national contention. Clissold said it was a disappointment the men’s didn’t place well enough.
“The men’s team dropped off a little in the end (of the season), and it is so frustrating because they really had a great season,” Clissold said. “They were probably the best men’s team the club has ever had and they are a little sad at not making to nationals.”
The women’s team struggled at the regional rodeo, not placing in points and missing opportunities. They bounced back at the second rodeo at UVU, having three women within point placing.
Two freshman, Koel Hall and Shaylynn Johnson, both earned points in the breakaway roping. Johnson placed third in the average and Hall placed tenth in the long go. Clissold also earned points, placing fifth in the average in barrel racing after two rounds.
“The women’s team got it together a little more in the fall. The girls roped better in the spring, and we will have to keep it going for next fall season,” Clissold said. “There are a lot of talented girls on the team, and a lot of them are freshman and next year we should be able to step up there and get in the points.”
The season did not end how the club members wanted it to, but Clissold said overall it was a successful season and the competitors are excited to have a chance to send a rough stock rider to Casper in June.
“We are all really excited for Lym and it was a good season for all of us overall,” Clissold said.
– mega.bodi@aggiemail.usu.edu