PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico rodeo is back in action for the final rodeo of the Caprock Region slate of the season. This is the last chance for the Greyhounds to make a push and qualify for the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo. Before the three days of competition, please read the Three Barrel Preview:
1.) Greyhounds Win: Both Eastern New Mexico men's and women's teams have won at least one rodeo this season after last weekend's performance in Canyon. Greyhound men's rodeo earned their first win of the season and what could be their first win in a region since 2005. It is not confirmed when the last time ENMU men have won a rodeo, but there is evidence of a team victory from 2005.
Jacob Walters won the all-around title after scoring 115 points in team roping and 70 in tie down roping.
Orran Hart helped the team with 160 points after a big weekend in steer wrestling and
Cutter Pareo had 130 points from a terrific effort in tie down.
Duncan Adamson put up 30 points in steer wrestling. The men's team features Dennis Walker and
Bowdy Neece alongside the fourth other aforementioned Hounds. That crew will look to repeat their strong performances as they have posted four consecutive top four finishes.
2.) The Race to Casper: This weekend is the last chance for the Greyhounds to qualify for the College Nation Finals Rodeo. ENMU is in a solid position to have some great representation in the event. The women's squad is in third place overall in the region with 1308.66 points. They hold a 51.67-point deficit against South Plains who sits in second overall. If ENMU can finish in the top two teams in the region, they will secure a bid to Casper. Texas Tech leads the region with 1582.50 points. The men's team is in fourth place regionally. They sit 752.50 points away from Western Texas College in second place. They find themselves behind to third place Texas Tech by a 285-point margin.
Jacob Walters is in excellent position to go to the CNFR as he leads the all-around with 1810 points and holds a 490-point edge. Walters also leads the region in tie down with 570 points. His teammate
Cutter Pareo has 515 points in the same event to sit second and hold a 15-point advantage over the next closest competitors. Walters and Hart sit fourth and fifth respectfully in steer wrestling. Walters needs 95 points on Texas Tech's Hadley White to earn the third place slot. Walters is the top team roping header by 235 points as he boasts 735 total.
Mackinzee Dermody is the closest Greyhound on the women's team to securing a spot in Wyoming. She has 638.33 points, which is 40 points ahead of Texas Tech's Kaylee Stroud. If she stays within the top three, she'll qualify for nationals. The fourth-place contestant is 118.33 points short of Dermody.
3.) Times and More: Action for the South Plains rodeo begins Thursday, April 23 at 7 p.m. CT. at the Mallett Event Center (2320 S US Hwy 385 Levelland, Texas 79336). Six different Greyhounds will compete for Eastern New Mexico during Thursday's performances. The rodeo continues into Friday with morning slack taking place at 9 a.m. CT with seven more ENMU entries featured. Only two Hounds drew to compete Friday night. Saturday morning slack will see 18 entries from Eastern, including every student-athlete vying for enough points to secure their slot to Casper. Walters will compete in tie down, team roping, and steer wrestling all on Saturday morning. Dermody will lead off the goat tying on Saturday and Pareo will be entered in tie down in the 14-spot. By midday, the short round participants will be announced.
