LA JUNTA —With 30 members, the OJC Rodeo Team will begin their third season this weekend under the guidance of Head Coach Linsay Sumpter, assisted by new assistant coach JW McCuistion. The Rattlers will be making their 2011-2012 season debut at Chadron State College on Sept. 9 – 11 in Chadron, Neb. The Rattlers compete in the Central Rocky Mountain Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. The college rodeo season will include five rodeos this fall and will continue during the spring with an additional five rodeos.
Coach Sumpter said she has a deep field of rodeo athletes to fill her men and women’s teams.
“With 10 returning sophomores I’m going to be looking to those returners to lead the team to the 2012 College National Finals Rodeo,” said Sumpter. “I look forward to working with each and every one of the students on the team this year. We are blessed with lots of talent and I am excited to see how far they will go in both the classroom and arena,” she said.
Leading the men’s team is team captain Spencer Brown, from Littleton. A consistent point-earner during the 2010-2011 season, Brown is looking for his first qualification to the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR). He was a Top 10 finisher in the Central Rocky Mountain Region in the Bareback Riding competition last season. Brown is also working on his team roping, hoping to bring more points to the team.
New to the team this year is two- event cowboy, Tyler Mattarochi, from Pueblo. Sumpter expects Mattarochi to be a strong competitor on both sides of the arena. Returning three-event cowboy Craig Roe, from Black Forest, will be competing in the Team Roping, Steer Wrestling and Tie Down Roping. OJC will be strongly represented in the Bull Riding with five of Colorado’s best bull riders, Jake Brown, Travis Jackson, Zane Bostwick, Tanner Smith, Dom Pino, and Josh Hamacher. The Team Roping competition will be well represented with OJC rodeo athletes that will include: Brandon Barker, Dane Banta, Clayton Peacock, Joe Miller and Dalton Ward.
Leading the women’s team is returning sophomore and team captain Jennifer Pollmiller, from Littleton, who will represent OJC in the Breakaway Roping and Barrel Racing. Pollmiller made many championship round appearances in 2010-11 and with a new horse this year, she is planning on an appearance at the CNFR.
Returning sophomore Emily Waggoner is back after her strong finish in 2010-11 season competing in the Goat Tying and Breakaway Roping. With the addition of six multi-event cowgirls, this brings the women’s team to its largest roster to date. Other women’s team members include: Samantha Wallace, Trinette Requena, Rileigh Elder, Kayle VanBlarcum, Sydney Lawson, and Skylar Mattive.
“I’m really pleased with what I’m seeing in the practice arena each week and fully expect to have OJC Rodeo competitors at the 2012 College National Finals Rodeo in June along with multiple Top 10 finishes and regional championships,” said Sumpter.
