Vierstra Named All-Around Cowgirl at Sul Ross Rodeo

ALPINE – South Plains College freshman Cassie Vierstra (Twin Falls, ID) was named All-Around Cowgirl at the Sul Ross State University Rodeo in Alpine this past weekend.

Vierstra finished first in the goat tying competition to earn 160 points. She had a time of 7.3 seconds in the first round and came back with a time of 7.2 seconds in the second round for a total of 14.5. She is currently ranked No. 1 in the Southwest Region in goat tying with 275 points. Dana Weiser (Wheatland, WY) also made it to the finals in goat tying. She had a time of 8.1 seconds in the first round and 9.2 in the short round for a total of 17.3, which was good for ninth.

Another SPC freshman, Ryan Shanklin (Rocksprings) placed first in bull riding. Shanklin had the highest score in the first round (81) and the second-highest score in the short round (85) for a total of 166 points.

In tie-down roping, SPC's Matt Switzer (Swift Current, Saskatchawan) placed third. He had a time of 8.6 seconds in the first round and 9.2 in the short round for a total of 17.8. Tyrell Sparkman (Hereford) finished tenth. He had a 9.7 in the first round and 19.2 in the short round for a total of 28.9 seconds.

Ginger Hathcock (Colorado Springs, CO) placed sixth in barrel racing. She had a time of 16.40 seconds in the first round and 16.32 seconds in the short round for a total of 32.72.

In team roping, SPC's Will Beahm (Draper, VA) teamed up with Vierstra and the duo advanced to the finals. They had a time of 8.7 seconds in the first round and 25.1 in the short round for a total of 33.8 seconds, which was good for seventh.

The SPC women's rodeo team is currently ranked sixth in the region. Vierstra is first in goat tying and fifth in breakaway roping, while Hathcock is ranked No. 13 in barrel racing. The SPC men are ranked No. 14 in the Southwest region. Shanklin is ranked fourth in bull riding, Brian Johnson (Gruver) is fourth and Switzer is sixth in tie-down roping, Chase Massengill (Santa Fe, NM) is 12th in tie-down roping, and Ross Cooper (Slaton) is 13th in bareback riding.