OJC Rattler Rodeo Program

When the college rodeo season began last fall in the Central Rocky Mountain Region, Otero Junior College had an official team entered; a feat that had not happened for over 25 years. The OJC Rattler Rodeo Club was first established in 1957. Up until the mid 1980s’ the club and its competitive teams were an active group on the OJC campus, hosting annual Rattler Roundup Collegiate Rodeos for over 15 years.

With interest from students and support from the OJC administration, the Rattler Rodeo Team was revived on a full scale for the 2009-2010 Academic Year. The program is funded under the OJC Athletic Department and recognized as a varsity sport on the campus.

OJC’s Rattlers Rodeo Team Members include:

Top (l-r) Women’s Team: Stephanie Murphy, Calhan; Ali Snatchko, Peyton; Mattie Hummel, Watkins; and Head Coach Linsay Sumpter

Bottom (l-r) Men’s Team: Tyler Lewis, Rocky Ford; Justin Forell, Colorado City; Ryan Belew, La Junta; Hadley Jackson, Swink; Wes Richardson, Eads; Cory Hazen, Calhan; Craig Roe, Colorado Springs; and Baylor Roche, Tremonton, Utah.

Now recruiting students for the 2010-2011 academic year who are serious about Academics and Rodeo!

     An OJC Tradition Continues

Prior to the start of Fall Semester at OJC in 2008, Tuff Ramsey and Ryan Belew, two La Junta cowboys, approached OJC Marketing Director, Almabeth Kaess, asking if she would help them organize a rodeo team at OJC. Kaess, an OJC Rattler Rodeo Team alumna, and former Miss Rodeo America, agreed to help the students. Once college started in August, one more student, Cory Hazen, came forward with an interest in also being on the rodeo team. During the past collegiate rodeo season, the team competed at all 10 Central Rocky Mountain Region rodeos, and finished sitting 10th in the Region.

According to Kaess, with persistence from the rodeo team members and herself, the administrators at Otero Junior College were encouraged to look at reviving the Rattler Rodeo Team on a full scale for the 2009-10 academic year. “Our persistence paid off, because the administration approved a program that is funded under the Athletic Department and recognized as a varsity sport on the campus,” said Kaess.

With only one more hurdle to leap, the newly revived rodeo team needed a coach who could take the program to a competitive level. “As a new program, we knew we needed someone who not only knew the sport of rodeo well, especially collegiate rodeo, but also had a solid background in business, marketing, fundraising, leadership, and most importantly, had a high regard toward academics that coincided with the college’s philosophy,” said Kaess.

That person came in the form of Linsay Sumpter, a former California collegiate rodeo competitor at California Polytechnic State University.

OJC is located in La Junta, Colorado, an area that has a great history of rodeo and rodeo competitors. La Junta has one of the best climates in the state making this an excellent area to practice year-round.

Coach Linsay Rosser-Sumpter Office: McBride Rm 106 Phone: (805) 215-8793 E-Mail: linsay.rosser@ojc.edu	[About Coach Sumpter ]
Linsay Sumpter is a former collegiate rodeo competitor at California Polytechnic State University. She grew up helping to produce rodeos with the family's Flying U Rodeo Company and working as the herd manager for Rosser Land and Cattle.

To learn more about the OJC Rattler Rodeo Program, contact Linsay Rosser-Sumpter.

 

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