SPC Rodeo Competes in Big Spring

BIG SPRING – The South Plains College rodeo team co-hosted a rodeo with Howard College this past weekend in Big Spring. Six SPC cowboys and cowgirls advanced to Saturday's finals.

Freshman Cassie Vierstra (Twin Falls, ID) had the team's best finish. Vierstra placed second in goat tying. She had the fastest time in Thursday's first round (9.3 seconds) and came back with a time of 11.8 seconds in the short round for a total of 21.1 seconds. Vierstra is currently ranked first in the Southwest Region in goat tying with 622.5 points.

In bull riding, freshman Ryan Shanklin (Rocksprings) finished in third place with a score of 81. He is currently ranked fifth in the Southwest Region with 280 points. Also in bull riding, sophomore Stewart Kinley (Gradstone, Manitoba) placed fourth with a score of 75.

Freshman Brian Johnson (Gruver) placed fifth in tie down roping. He had a time of 10.9 seconds in the first round and 12.7 seconds in the short round for a total of 23.6. Johnson is currently ranked fifth in the Southwest Region with 310 points.

Sophomore Brandy Sladen (Keremeos, British Columbia) placed sixth in goat tying. She had a time of 10.5 seconds in the first round and 11.1 seconds in the short round for a total of 21.6.

In bareback riding, freshman Ross Cooper (Slaton) finished eighth after scoring a 49 in the second go-around. He is ranked 13th in the latest Southwest Region rankings with 25 points.

In the Southwest Region standings, the SPC women's team is ranked fifth and the men's team is 13th. Both teams have one rodeo remaining. They will compete at Tarleton State University in Stephenville this weekend.