Cody Prescott of the Southern Arkansas University rodeo team is the national champion of the tie down roping event at the College National Finals Rodeo which took place June 14-20 in Casper, Wyoming.
This was Prescott’s third time to compete in the CNFR event. Prescott, a junior majoring in agriculture business from Jay, Florida, drew some challenging calves in his four days of competition but remained a strong contender in the race because his scores were consistent, said SAU Rodeo Coach Rusty Hayes.
“The cattle were real tough out there,” Hayes said. “They were so big and tough and Cody never really did draw a good one. But even though he drew four tough calves, he still got them tied down.”
Hayes said livestock in any rodeo, collegiate or professional, provide an element of surprise in all events. Unlike other professional sports, the performance of the athlete is only one factor. This was something he shared with Dr. David Rankin and his wife Toni Rankin who showed their support of the team by attending three nights of rodeo events.
“The livestock element in rodeo is what makes it different from other sports,” Hayes said. “You have to draw livestock that you can perform your best with and sometimes it doesn’t happen.”
A couple of tough breaks with livestock were also felt by the SAU women’s rodeo team. However, Ashley Mills, a sophomore agriculture business major from Live Oak, Florida and Hannah Thomas, a junior agriculture business major from Waycross, Georgia did place in the top five in their events. Mills won the first round of breakaway roping by roping her animal in 2.7 seconds.
“I can’t even think that fast,” Hayes joked.
Thomas won fourth in the third round of goat tying. Hayes said any placement in the top five is good because teams are made up of the toughest competition from across the United States. Having experience in such a large competition tends to be a factor in how cowboys and cowgirls do, so those who didn’t do as well as they wanted to this year will have a better shot next year, he said.
“This is the biggest bunch we have had out there in several years and they are all young and will return next year with the experience of competing in all the excitement and the pressure. They are all awestruck the first time they go,” Hayes said.
Other members who competed in this year’s event include Laci Rucker, a sophomore agriculture business major from Ft. Valley, Ga.; Beth Stone, a sophomore majoring in physical therapy from Hope, Ark.; Clif Geiger, a junior agriculture business major from Hilliard, Fl.; and Cody Roberts, a freshman agriculture business major from Norma, Ark.
