Wranglers Saddle Up for New Season

Posted: Sep 17, 2015

The Odessa College Wrangler Rodeo team is ready to saddle up for the 2015-2016 season. The new rodeo season kicks off this weekend in Portales, New Mexico for the Eastern New Mexico University College Rodeo.

There is reason to be excited for the Wranglers as they return two Southwest Regional Champions from last year. Sophomore, Chet Boren from Vernal, Utah returns as the defending Southwest Regional Steer Wrestling Champion and Rylee Jo Dick of Oakley, Utah returns as the Southwest Regional Barrel Racing Champion. Rylee also qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo in the Breakaway Roping. "Having two defending regional champions on the team is a great way to build for this year," said third year Wrangler Rodeo Coach C.J. Aragon.

"Chet will be tough in the steer wrestling, this year he has a good partner in the team roping as well (Lucas Falconer) plus he will score points in the tie-down roping. He has the chance to be a contender in the All-Around race," added Coach Aragon.

Rylee Jo Dick is no stranger to the All-Around race. Last year she finished as the Southwest Region reserve All-Around Champion and finished seventh at the College National Finals as a freshman in the All-Around race. "Rylee is tough, she will be tough in the barrel racing, she will be tough in the breakaway roping and se will be tough in the team roping. We expect her to have another good year for our Women's Team," said Coach Aragon.

The Wranglers have several other returning students who look to perform well this year.

--Ty Ellis of Sonningdale, Canada (sophomore) bull rider and team roper. Ellis missed most of last season while rehabbing from knee surgery. Ellis has been doing well this summer in both of his events and looks to continue on the success he had his freshman year at Odessa College.

--Lucas Falconer of Merville, British Columbia, (sophomore) team roping heeler who will be roping with Boren this year. Falconer is at the top of Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association Permit Standings in the Team Roping.

--Bradie Gray of Tamworth, Australia, (sophomore) bull rider. Last year, Gray missed much of the season due to broken vertebrae in his back during the fall and a broken jaw in the spring. Gray barely missed qualifying for the College Nationals Final Rodeo despite his injuries last year. This year he appears to be healthy and ready to compete.

--Kaci Rae Kamm of Stanfield, Oregon (sophomore) vcompetes in four events and will be a key member of the Women's team this year. Look for her to do well in the breakaway roping and team roping.

--Adam Lucero of Tooele, Utah (sophomore) bull rider. Much like Gray, Lucero missed much of the season last year and still almost qualified for the CNFR. Lucero has had a great summer and is one of the top bull riders in the PRCA Wilderness Circuit.

--Zach Nevels of Monee, Illinois (sophomore) steer wrestler and tie-down roper. Nevels finished the 2014-2015 season strong and looks to continue to build on his winning ways in the 2015-2016 season.

The Odessa College Rodeo Team also added a few notable freshmen for this season that should contribute immediately this year.

--Colton Carlson of Wells, Minnesota is a transfer sophomore. Carlson attended Minnesota State University last year on a wrestling scholarship. This year, he will still wrestle, but he will wrestle steers for the Odessa College Rodeo Team. Carlson had a great high school career in both steer wrestling and wrestling.

--Rylie Clemens of Firth, Idaho comes to the Odessa College Rodeo Team as an All-Around hand. Clemens competes in the bareback riding, steer wrestling, and team roping and tie-down roping. Clemens should contribute to the team on both ends of the arena.

The Odessa College Rodeo Team will compete for five weekends in a row over the fall season.

Eastern New Mexico University Portales, NM September 17-19, 2015

Sul Ross State University Alpine, TX September 24-26, 2015

Vernon College Vernon, TX October 1-3, 2015

Frank Phillips College Perryton, TX October 8-10, 2015

Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX October 15-17, 2015

The Odessa College Rodeo team will host their own rodeo February 25-27 in the Ector County Coliseum. For more information on the Odessa College Rodeo Team, please contact the head coach, C.J. Aragon at 432-208-2333.

Chet Boren (sophomore) steer wrestler

ACTION PHOTOS BY: Dan Hubbel