WC rodeo set for second half of season

As the second half of its season begins on February 22, Weatherford College is once again well-represented in the standings of the Southwest Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. 

In fact, if the season ended now, four WC competitors would be preparing to advance to the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming, in June. It's a place WC is very familiar with, having sent competitors every year since 2005, except for 2020, when COVID canceled the event. 

Those four would be Lane Webb in tie-down roping, Jett Stewart in team roping-header, and Harley Meged and Kaydence Tindall in breakaway roping. In addition, two more are tied for third place - with the top three athletes in each event advancing - Webb in team roping-header and Cashton Weidenbener in team roping-heeler. 

Meged ranks third in the nation in her event, while Tindall is seventh. Webb is 22nd nationally in men's all-around and second in the region. 

"Well, it's kind of been an up-and-down year so far," WC head coach Johnny Emmons said. "Our team standings within the region do not reflect the talent we have, but I am optimistic that we will get that turned around in the spring. The highlights are pretty good. We have had 24 men and 10 women win points in this first half." 

Emmons noted that he expects national champions Jace Helton, Bradi Good and Brie Wells to make a second-half charge. 

"I definitely look for them to make a rebound," he said, adding that he also expects a bounceback in the second half from CNFR qualifiers Zane Mikita and Cash Enderli. 

"We have Cole Clemons, who won the Vernon Rodeo with a chance. He is an outstanding roper who has won a ton at the pro rodeos over the last year or so." 

Along with those at or near the top of the standings, Emmons said, "We have several that have won good once or twice in this first half, and if they can come back and place at three of the last five, we will have many chances at the CNFR." 

As a team, the Lady Coyotes - who won the school's first team national championship in 2022 - are fifth in the region with 480 points. Tarleton leads with 1,505 and Clarendon is second with 745. The top two teams at the end of the regular season qualify for the CNFR. 

On the men's side, the Coyotes are in 11th place with 400 points. Tarleton is on top with 2,670, and Western Texas is second with 1,783.33. 

"It's going to take a huge effort for the men's team to get into the top two. We have dug a hole that is going to be hard to get out of, but if we can get the right six guys hitting at the same time, we can definitely make up some ground," Emmons said. 

"The women's team is not that far out of it. In fact, I feel like we are just one breakout rodeo away from the top two." 

WC heads west for the Odessa College Rodeo Feb. 22–24, the first of five remaining rodeos in the regular season. 

Weatherford College Rodeo midseason update 

National standings 

Southwest Region 

The top two teams in each division advance to nationals 

Leading individuals 

The top three in each event qualify for nationals