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University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture - Curtis

Rodeo Team Post First Wins of Season

 

Curtis, Ne, April 25, 2007: - "It's going to be a good year," states Dallas Talkington, Rodeo Coach at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis, Nebraska.   The NCTA Rodeo Team returned from their first rodeo of the season in Brookings, South Dakota, during the weekend of April 13-14, 2007, representing 13 schools and 250 competitors.  Five NCTA team members made it to the finals:

  • Rachel Stoner (Cody, NE), Barrel Racing
  • Cole Jesse and Curt Mahony (Sublette, KS), Team Roping
  • Justin Hart (Aberdeen, SD), Bull Riding
  • Chance Harman (Norton, KS), Saddle Bronc Riding Winner

Talkington has spent the last eight years as coach of the Aggies Rodeo Team.  "I was originally asked to help for a year, but it's become a commitment to working with some outstanding students," he comments.  "We see college rodeo continue to get more competitive each year, as the talent and the horses get better and better."

Talkington also teaches a rodeo seminar class that is open to all students at NCTA, regardless of their past experiences with rodeo.  "It's essentially rodeo practice, but it gives some great exposure to the sport of rodeo and has contributed to its growing popularity."  Those who decide they want to compete on the college rodeo circuit must then have a NIRA (National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association) card.  This year, there are 15 students competing on the Aggies Rodeo Team.

For those who decide to take their passion for rodeo a step further, Talkington states that college rodeo is great preparation for moving into the professional rodeo circuit.  He adds, "Shawn Coleman rode bulls for us last year, and is now riding in the professional ranks."

This year will continue to be a busy one for the Aggies Rodeo Team.  This past weekend, they attended a double header hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Rodeo Team at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.  NCTA finished tied for 5th in the overall standings.  Chance Harman took home another 1st place finish in the saddle bronc event, and team ropers Cole Jesse and Curt Mahony finished 7th in team roping.  Other upcoming rodeo stops for the team include:

  • April 26-28, 2007 Rapid City/Spearfish, South Dakota
  • May 4-5, 2007 Dickinson, North Dakota

The highlight of the college rodeo season is qualifying for the National Finals in Casper, Wyoming, on June 10, 2007.  The top two schools and top three high individuals per event qualify to compete against the best of the best.  Talkington adds, "We've been blessed to have qualified two bull riders in the last three years, and one saddle bronc rider last year.  And I really feel we could be sending some team members again this year."

The NCTA Aggies aim to continue their proud tradition of outstanding rodeo athletes this year and for many years to come.  For more information about the NCTA Aggie Rodeo Team, please contact Dallas Talkington at dtalkington2@unl.edu or NCTA at 1-800-3CURTIS.