Rodeo club to travel to Vernal for competition
The Utah State club rodeo team will compete in Vernal at the Utah State University Uintah Basin Friday and Saturday against the 15 other teams in the Rocky Mountain Region in its first competition since Oct. 6, 2001.
This rodeo marks the first of seven spring rodeos in which the team will compete, following five months off of competition.
Individuals in rodeo have the chance to earn points at each of 10 rodeos per season, three fall and seven spring rodeos. First place in an event earns 40 points, second place earns 30 points, third place earns 20 points and fourth place earns 10 points.
“The way the point system works for the collegiate rodeo is individuals earn points at 10 rodeos,” coach Jeff Hall said. “The top 10 individuals in each event in the number of points earned in each region go to the regional playoffs.”
This season, the playoffs will be April 26 and 27 at Weber State University. The top two individuals in the region in each event automatically qualify to go to the College National Finals Rodeo June 10 through 15 in Casper, Wyo. Seven more individuals are chosen in each event to go to nationals based on their performance at the playoffs.
Two athletes on the team went to nationals last year: David Clark, who is currently third in the region in Saddle Bronc Riding, and Danny Blackhurst, who is fourth in the region in Bareback Riding.
In addition, Tyler Kunz is eighth in the region in Calf-roping, and Hall said he expects two new bull-riders, Eli Hale and Brock Peterson, to also do well this weekend.
On the women’s team, Hall said he expects Sara Sulsur and Michelle Whiting to be strong competitors. Sulsur Break-away Ropes and Goat-ties while Whiting Barrel-races and Break-away Ropes.
“I have a fairly young women’s team this year,” Hall said. “Sulsur had a tough time in the fall, but I expect her to be a strong competitor this weekend.”
Teams in the Rocky Mountain Region include BYU-Idaho, Boise State University, Idaho State University, Weber State University, Salt Lake Community College, Utah Valley State College, Dixie College, Southern Utah University and Snow College.
The men’s team is currently ranked fourth in the region and the women’s is ranked ninth of 16 teams.