**For Immediate Release**
Two for Two: White and Etbauer Win All-Around Titles
- Released by OPSU Campus Communications 03-12-2008
By Jordan Muncy
Fort Scott, Kansas -- Fort Scott, Kansas hosted the third spring season rodeo for the Oklahoma Panhandle State University rodeo team. The team made Coach Craig Latham proud as an Aggie member brought home both the Men’s and Women’s All Around titles. The men once again struck the top of the standings with a team win to advance their lead for the top spot in the Central Plains Region.
The long trip to the Kansas/Missouri line proved well worth it for several OPSU rodeo competitors. Karlon Knudson put on a good show in the bareback riding in the long round with an 81-point ride to put him at the top going into Sunday’s short-go. After his exciting ride, he worked the crowd by throwing his hat with true cowboy style. In the short round, Knudson did just what he needed by once again receiving a qualified ride which left him a first-place finish in the average.
In the calf roping, all eyes were on Trell Etbauer, the sole OPSU cowboy to qualify for the short round in that event. With the help of his outstanding horse, also named Trell, the cowboy was able to post a solid time of 10.5 to secure him a third place spot going into the championship round. With another consistent run on Sunday, he claimed the prestigious calf roping title. Etbauer also made the short-round in the steer wrestling where he won the long-go with a blistering 4.7. After the final performance, Trell landed a top ten finish, helping him claim All-Around cowboy honors.
Saddle bronc riding seemed a tough event as only six total competitors made qualified rides to advance to the short round. But it did not stop OPSU cowboy Seth Schafer from doing what he went to Fort Scott to do: ride two bucking horses and land a top place finish. The Meat Science major rode his horses for a combined total of 154 points. Other bronc riding finalists were Tyrel Larsen, Townsend Prince, and Ryan Bestol.
Becky White put the OPSU women on the chart by laying down two smoking runs in the goat tying. After winning the long go with a 7.9 second run, the air filled with excitement just before she and her horse, Whiz, entered the arena on Sunday. Showing the consistency she has maintained all year, she walked away with the goat tying title. White also qualified for the short-go in the breakaway roping, and each event gave her points that added up to give her the women’s All-Around.
The lone OPSU cowgirl in the barrel racing was the South Dakota freshman, Hilary VanGerpin. Two clean runs right at 13.1 seconds landed her a top ten finish at the Fort Scott Community College rodeo. In the bull riding, several Aggies started great rides, but Tyrel Larsen was the only man able to make the short-round and secure another top ten event finish for OPSU.
Over the next few weeks, OPSU cowboys and cowgirls will find themselves busy at work preparing for the upcoming hometown rodeo in Guymon on April 3rd through 5th. With just four rodeos left in the season, the Aggies know just what needs to be done in order to secure a precious spot for a trip to Casper, Wyoming for the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Finals. ### |
