The Odessa College Rodeo Team hosted the 32^nd Odessa Wrangler Rodeo, February 25th-27th at the Ector County Coliseum.  It was the first time the Odessa Wrangler Rodeo has been inside the Ector County Coliseum since 1986.  The rodeo was the first of five in the spring rodeo season in the Southwest Region.  There were a total of 17 colleges from eastern New Mexico and West Texas represented at the rodeo.

"The move into the coliseum was huge for us this year.  There were a lot of people that made it happen and we are thankful for the work that everyone did to make it happen," said Coach CJ Aragon.

The Odessa Wranglers had a strong showing at their home event.

Sophomore Austin Williams of Marsing, Idaho won second in the bareback riding.  Williams scored 79 points on his first horse to split second in the round.  In the second round, Williams scored 75 points which was good enough to place him second in the round.  Williams' two head total of 154 points was good enough for the reserve championship.

In the steer wrestling, OC Wrangler sophomore Jake Trujillo of Los Alamos, New Mexico, won the first round with a time of 4.4 seconds. Teammate Koty Kamm, of Stanfield, Oregon, placed fourth in the first round with a time of 5.0 seconds.  In the second round, Kamm turned in a time of 5.1 seconds to place third in the round.  Kamm's two head total of 10.1 seconds was good enough to place him second in the steer wrestling.

OC Team ropers Cody Falconer of Merville, British Columbia, and Rylie Clemens of Firth, Idaho placed second in the average of the team roping.  The pair placed third in the first round with a time of 7.2 seconds.  In the second round, they made a smart run of 8.0 which allowed them to place second in the average.

Barrel Racer Kaci Kamm of Stanfield, Oregon placed 11^th in the barrel racing.

The Odessa College rodeo closed with bull rider Layne Ward of Almo, Idaho winning the bull riding.  Ward split first place in the first round with an electrifying ride of 80 points.  On Saturday afternoon Ward was the final competitor of the weekend and needed a score of 71 points to win the bull riding.  Having the home crowd loudly behind him, Ward scored 75 points to keep the bull riding championship buckle in Odessa.

"This was by far the best Wrangler rodeo we have hosted since I have been the coach here.  We had great support from the college, community and the Sandhill's Rodeo.  We had great crowds at the rodeo and it was a great atmosphere for us," said Aragon.

Tarleton University won the men's team title and South Plains College won the women's team title.

The Odessa College Rodeo Team Competes next at the Ranger College Rodeo, March 17th-19th in Brownwood, Texas.