SWOSU rodeo teams return to action

Image
Body

SWOSU rodeo returns to action this spring and head coach Mike Visnieski said he is grateful to return.

“I am extremely excited and very thankful for this spring and I would like to sincerely thank our administration, our community and our supporters for the work they have put in to keep us all going,” Visnieski said. “For my team to continue to work together, improve daily and compete to the best of their ability. It is about being committed to the process with a clear goal in mind for us.”

Visnieski said the team’s goals and expectations remain the same, despite not getting the opportunity to compete last fall.

“Our expectations have not changed at all,” Visnieski said. “The delay just gave us more time to put in work and get better.”

Visnieski said everyone has remained positive and both teams cannot wait to get out on the rodeo course.

“Our team is committed to work and meshed well this fall,” Visnieski said. “Lots of good attitudes and enthusiasm and that really makes it fun. Both the men’s and women’s teams looked really good this fall and I expect them to do well this season. They cannot wait to get after it.”

Visneski said it will be a busy spring and the season begins Thursday, February 18, at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. The SWOSU rodeo is Thursday, April 8, through Saturday, April 10.

“The biggest challenge for our schedule is we will have all 10 of our region rodeos in the span of 11 weeks this year,” Visnieski said. “The team will have to manage their time well to keep up with the rigors of their education and preparing for competition.”

Visneski said the teams are going to be motivated all season long and will not worry about rodeos getting canceled.

“The biggest challenge pertaining to COVID-19 is keeping people motivated to keep moving forward and not to dwell on the thoughts that college rodeos may be cancelled or their season may be taken away,” Visnieski said.

2021 roster

Women’s team

Taylor Bothwell — senior

Tylor Brown — freshman

Balla Corcoran — freshman

McKenzie Gervais — sophomore

Abby Hepper — sophomore

Chelina Howell — junior

Reagan Johnson — sophomore

Jillian Kostrzewski — sophomore

Taylor Lagasse — graduate student

Shelby Lankford — senior

Kelsey Martin — senior

Mable McAbee — junior

Kaylee Scales — sophomore

Sierra Smith — graduate student

Cheyenne Stout — freshman

Hadley Tate — sophomore

Emma Watts — junior

Winter Williams — senior

Sadie Wolaver — junior

Men’s team

Jordan Brown — senior

Brady Burton — senior

Brooks Burton — sophomore

Rhett Conkling — sophomore

Dalton Denny — freshman

Tanmer Edwards — freshman

Garrett Gorman — senior

Cody Keathley — junior

Layton Little — senior

Wyatt Lohman — graduate student

Jefree Robrahn — graduate student

James Rouse — junior

Tanner Scales — freshman

Brayden Tanner — senior

Trey Thomas — junior

Jesse Troyer — junior

Tim Troyer — sophomore

Cody Williams — senior

Jack Wright — freshman