The New Mexico State University rodeo team overpowered the competition yet again at the Navajo Technical College National Collegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) rodeo held April 18-19 in Crownpoint, N.M.

Both the men’s and the women’s teams placed first overall, with more than 350 points over the second-place teams.

“The team dominated in most events again, and I am very proud of what the team has accomplished this year and am looking forward to how things shake out next week at the last rodeo,” said Jim Dewey Brown, NMSU rodeo coach.

In the breakaway event, Bailey Gow, of Roseburg, Ore., tied for first place.

Brittany Striegel, of Aztec, N.M.; Laura Baeza, of El Paso, Texas; and Kelsi Elkins, also of Aztec, N.M., placed first, second and third, respectively, in the barrel racing.

Bremerton, Wash., native Megan Corey won the goat tying event. Teammates Elkins and Gow received second and third, respectively.

For the men’s team, Travis Ottney, of Hereford, Ariz., placed third in the bareback riding event.

In the saddlebronc event, Olan Borg, of Camp Verde, Ariz., and Dean Daly, of Belen, N.M., placed first and second, respectively.

Tony Steel, of Alamo, Nev., tied for first in the bull riding.

JoDan Mirabal, of Grants, N.M., won first in the tie-down event. Tyson Runyan, of Silver City, N.M., received third.

In the steer wrestling, Tanner Robinson, of Mesilla Park, N.M., received first, and Chad Steele, of Alamo, Nev., placed third.

The team of Chance Means, of Cliff, N.M., and Matt Garza, of Mesquite, N.M., won first in the team roping.

Wyatt Althoff, of Gilbert, Ariz., and Mirabal tied for the men’s all-around for the weekend, and Gow received the women’s all-around.

The final rodeo of the season will be held May 2-3 at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, N.M.

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Photo is available at
http://ucommphoto.nmsu.edu/newsphoto/althoff_wyatt.jpg
CUTLINE: New Mexico State University athlete Wyatt Althoff, of Gilbert, Ariz., tied for men’s all-around champion at the Navajo Technical College National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) rodeo. (NMSU photo by J. Victor Espinoza)

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Photo is available at
http://ucommphoto.nmsu.edu/newsphoto/mirabal_jodan.jpg
CUTLINE: New Mexico State University athlete JoDan Mirabal, of Grants, N.M., tied for men’s all-around champion at the Navajo Technical College National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) rodeo. (NMSU photo by J. Victor Espinoza)

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Photo is available at
http://ucommphoto.nmsu.edu/newsphoto/gow_bailey_cw.jpg
CUTLINE: New Mexico State University athlete Bailey Gow, of Roseburg, Ore., won women’s all-around champion at the Navajo Technical College National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) rodeo. (NMSU photo by J. Victor Espinoza)

Margaret Kovar
April 25, 2008

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