PORTALES, N.M. – The Eastern New Mexico rodeo program has recently announced a record academic semester for the 2018 fall period.

The program boasted a combined GPA of 3.37 between the men's and women's programs and had a total of eight student-athletes record a GPA of 4.0 for the semester. The Hounds combined their work in the arena with solid work in the classroom to provide a shining example of what coach Albert Flinn expects his program to represent.

"I am very proud of the team's GPA for the fall semester," coach Flinn said, "We continue to have team members that excel in the classroom, graduating on time and with honors."

81 percent of the women's side of the program finished the semester with a GPA mark of 3.0 or better, while four student-athletes reported in with a 4.0 GPA at semester's end. Harley-Ann DeLeeuw, Laney Elkins, Shannon Jackson and Chazlin Lesueur served as the four Hounds that recorded a 4.0 in the classroom for the fall.

64 percent of the men's side of the program finished with a GPA of 3.0 or better while Jesse Estill, Wesley Gudgell, Logan Hyatt and Zant Zamora all finished with a 4.0.

In the arena the Hounds will be looking for a big spring semester as the men's team currently sits 15^th in the region, while the women's team sits 13^th.

Individually speaking, Hyatt currently sits seventh in the Southwest Region in the steer wrestling event with 140.0 points while three members of the women's team are in prime position to make a move up the regional standings quickly in the spring semester. Molly Griffin currently resides in 14^th place with 80.0 points in the breakaway roping while Timber Kelly and Shannon Jackson accumulated 55.0 and 40.0 points respectively throughout the fall semester schedule to sit in 14^th and 15^th place in the goat tying event.

Eastern New Mexico rodeo will get their spring schedule underway on Feb. 21 at the Odessa College Rodeo in Odessa, Texas.