At the first rodeo of the season, the University of Arkansas – Monticello women’s rodeo team finished first at the Missouri Valley College rodeo despite only three members receiving points. The men’s team finished fourth at the event.

   “I was very pleased with the turnout of the first event of the year,” coach Jolyn Wells said.

   In the goat tying, 2006 College National Qualifier Megan Fisher finished second and Lana Chastain finished fourth with the times of 15.3 and 16.5 respectively. Katherine Bandy put up a time of 23.1 in breakaway roping, which was good enough for a fourth-place finish.

   Even with just three women scoring points, the team won the team overall by 135 points. Wells said she expects an even better performance at the next event.

   “We have a lot of girls capable of getting points that didn’t last weekend,” she said.

   On the men’s team, Wes Brunson, a transfer from Troy University, finished fourth in the men’s all-around with a score of 190.

   Brunson finished third in both Tie Down Roping and Steer Wrestling with the times of 29.1 and 12.8. He also competes in the team roping event with his brother Bart, a 2006 College National Qualifier in team roping, but the brothers missed the short round.

   “If you ask him he’ll tell you he had a terrible weekend because he started the weekend very good and then he didn’t finish his short go very good,” Wells said. “He still managed to get points in both rounds and average in both events.”

   Bart Brunson won the Tie Down Roping event with the time of 21.0.

   Four of the five members of the men’s team scored points during the rodeo. Jake Johnson picked up an eighth place finish in steer wresting, dropping the steer in a 6.2 and Lane Hewett finished second in Team Roping as a header with a time of 35.5.

   Bud Bogan just missed picking up points in Steer Wrestling, being disqualified for breaking the barrier.  Bogan said he expects to do better and the team finish higher at the next event.

   “We are a lot smaller as our numbers of go, but we are more efficient,” Bogan said. “I was the only guy on the team didn’t make the short go. I would of, but I broke the barrier.”

   Like last season, the men’s team goes into the events handicapped in a way since the team does not have anyone competing in Bull, Saddle Bronc or Bareback riding events. Wells said the team will be getting a rider in the near future though.

   “We have one that is in school, but hasn’t bought his card yet," Wells said. "He broke some ribs the week before school started and he’s still trying to heal up from that.”