The University of Arkansas – Monticello rodeo team hosted the Boll Weevil Stampede, an Ozark Region collegiate rodeo, March 30-31.

   Eight schools competed at the event and Missouri Valley College took the top spot in both the Men and Women’s team competition. UAM took sixth place in men’s and fourth in the women’s.

   “It’s easy to win an event when you are away,” rodeo coach Jolyn Wells said. “It’s harder to win at home. The pressure to perform in front of friends and family can get to you”

   Megan Fisher won the Woman’s All-around competition with a score of 200 points. Billy Brunson won the team rope header event with the time of 15.1 seconds edging out South Arkansas University’s Chance Parker by two-tenths of a second.

   University Tennessee at Martin’s Stephen Atchison and Robert Bright won both the saddle bronc and bareback riding events respectively. Chris Clover of MVC took the top spot in bull riding.

   Clayton Turner of Arkansas State won the tie-down roping event with the time of 21.7.  West Alabama’s Josh Napp blew away the competition in steer wrestling, beating second place by almost two seconds.

   Brunson’s partner, Tyler Barton of South Arkansas University, headed the team roping heeler competition.

   Wade Pickerill of MVC won the men’s over-all.

   On the women’s side, Casey Chapmen of UWA edged out second place by two-tenths of a second in barrel racing to win the event. Kallie Agre of MVC won breakaway roping and teammate Sasha Sankey won the goat tying event.

   Other notable performance from UAM team members included:

• Bud Bogan: eighth place in steer wrestling
• Jared Hall: fourth place in team roping header
• Whiney Leach: fourth place in barrel racing
• Fisher: fifth place in barrel racing
• Katherine Bandy: seventh place in breakaway roping
• Fisher: second place in goat tying

   Wells considers the event a success for UAM.  She estimates over 500 people attended the event.

   “Friday night we had a huge crowd. I think people thought Saturday was rained out,” Wells said. “A lot of people asked me if it was and attendance was a lot lower.”

   Colleen Carr, a first-year student at UAM, opened the event carrying the American flag, and Kelli Montgomery, who works for the Financial Aid Office, sung the National Anthem.

   Saturday the rodeo held an open event for UAM students called Calf Dressing, where teams of students dressed a calf in boxer shorts and a T-shirt. Members from the football team, Agriculture Department, Cattle Crew and Forestry Department competed. Clayton Howell, Corey Bryant and Keith Sowell of the Cattle Crew won the event.