WC rodeo once again making history

In Johnny Emmons' time as head coach of the Weatherford College rodeo program since 2012, a lot of history has happened. 

In 2014, when the men's team qualified as a whole for College National Finals Rodeo, it was the first time ever for the program. In 2022 the women's team qualified and won a national championship, it was the first team national title in the history of the school.

And now, for the first time ever, both the women and men will be sending teams to the CNFR in Casper, Wyoming June 14-20. The women, ranked No. 11 in the nation, qualified by winning the Lone Star Region in come-from-behind fashion, while the men were reserve champions (second) in their division.

"It is pretty awesome, such a fun year," Emmons said. "A lot of new rodeos (six), a lot of unknown when we started the season."

Those unknowns, however, developed into positive realities as the season progressed, including the program's own rodeo being named National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Lone Star Region Rodeo of the Year. Also, assistant coach Hadley Kibbe was named Lone Star Region Coach of the Year.

Individually, Emily Ward of WC won the women's all-around title in the region, while Jake Shelton of the men placed third. Ward also won the barrel racing competition during the regular season as WC had the top three finishers with Kacey Bass second and Acey Pinkston third.

Ward is also ranked 11th nationally in the event. Shelton finished fourth in the region in steer wrestling.

Also ranked in the top 15 nationally in their respective events are Jacee Graf, 12th in goat tying and second in the region, and Mecate Trammel, 15th in bull riding after winning the region.

The WC men had four of the top five in the region in both team roping events: Team roping-header: 1. Jett Stewart, 2. Denton Parish, 3. Hunter Helton, 5. Mason Stueve. Team roping-heeler: 1. Beldon Cox, 2. Brock Barkman, 3. Jeryn Ellerd, 5. Brock Rouse.

Three of the top five bull riders in the region competed for WC, led by champion Trammel, following by Shane Scott in fourth and Noah Lee in fifth.

Another top-five finish during the regular season was posted by Kaydence Tindall, who was fifth in breakaway roping.

Emmons noted this success comes from what is still largely considered the toughest region in the nation.

"No question about it, the Lone Star Region is the premier region in college rodeo," he said. "We have the best competition, the best rodeos, the best coaches, and of course the best contestants nationwide."

Nowhere is that more evident than WC, which has now sent contestants to every CNFR since 2005 when Emmons was an assistant to the late Mike Brown - except for 2020, when the event was canceled because of the COVID pandemic. And they certainly had qualifiers that season as well, Emmons noted.

"It's been pretty cool," Emmons said of the streak, adding, "I keep my guard up trying to not get complacent. I have been saying for 21 years now, it's not a given, but we have been very fortunate to have the class of athletes that has made that happen.

"I think we have established a well-run team with high expectations, and with that we are getting the top recruit candidates on a more continual basis, which I think reflects the high standards that we have been trying to set."

By Rick Mauch