Panola College Rodeo Team traveled to Uvalde, Tx., October 5-6th for what was the 2nd of 10 NIRA Southern Region Rodeos.
The Ponies rattled of a huge win to move to the top of the leader board in the Southern Region, here a some of the details:
Logan Cook, the Southern Region reigning all-around champion, was back in all three events. Logan was egger to show why he was last year's champion by claiming victories in both the Saddle Bronc Riding and in the Tie Down Calf Roping. Logan tied down his first calf in 8.3 seconds for the first round victory, came back on his short go calf and tied it down in 9.3 seconds, for second place in the short round and with a time on two head of 17.6 seconds and good enough for a first place finish. Cook then moved on to the Saddle Bronc Riding where he rode his first one for a score of 75 points, and a second place finish. He scored 74 on his second head, and a second place finish. The combined score of 149 points on two was strong enough for a first place finish also. The combined win moves Cook to the number one man in the All-Around race again, while he also moves to the leader board in the Tie Down Roping and sits in fourth in the Saddle Bronc Riding. Coach Collins said "We have a great hand in Logan, and it sure does give our team some thrust when Cookie unloads on them like that. He has what it takes to do that every time and we will be expecting more of that in the future."
Koby Radley, sophomore and first time NFR qualifier, put on a clinic in the Bull Riding. Koby scored 85 points on his first bull, and a second place finish. He came back on his short go bull with an 80-point score, and yet another second place finish. Radley's combined score of 165 points launched him to the overall lead, and the victory. The win moves Koby to the number 2 spot in the Southern Region Standings. Tune into ESPN and ESPN 2 for televised times of the NFR in December, and watch Koby compete for his first chance at a World Championship!
Team Roping Heeler, Clayton Lowry, along with the help of his partner, SFA's Kasen McCall, had a great first round run of just 6.5 seconds and a fifth place finish in go-round one. The duo stopped the clock in 5.4 seconds in the short round and a first place finish. The total time on two head of 11.9 seconds was more than a second faster than the rest of the field and won them the championship. Coach Collins said" I don't know Claytons partner that well, but I do know Clayton well enough to know that if you are going to watch this team you better hurry because it is going to happen fast for sure!"
The Panola College Ponies and Fillies will be back on the road October 19-20 in Mt Pleasant for the 3rd NIRA Southern Region Rodeo.