Troy University Athletics
Ben Mayworth Captures National Title at CNFR
6/17/2007 5:00:00 PM | Rodeo
CASPER, Wyo. ? Going into Saturday night's final round at the College National Finals Rodeo, Troy University's Ben Mayworth sat in second place in the tie-down calf roping competition.
Mayworth, a sophomore from Sebring, Fla., was the only Trojan of the eight to make the trip to the Casper Events Center for the 59th championship rodeo with a chance at a title, but had to watch as cowboy after cowboy failed to post a time in the championship round.
By the time his turn to compete came up, Mayworth not only have to worry about posting a time, but bettering the performance of Montana Western's Kyle VanBiezen, who's final round time of 8.5 seconds had vaulted him from 10th to first with an aggregate time of 42.1 seconds.
"I've been in this position in the high school finals and I knew I couldn't let the pressure get to me," Mayworth told the Casper Star-Tribune. "It all just worked out."
Mayworth was up to the challenge, posting a run of 10.8 seconds to move past VanBiezen into first place, with only Tennessee-Martin's Boyd Quinley left to ride.
Quinley, who had been the event leader all week, appeared to have captured the title with a time of 11.3 seconds in his run, but that score was nullified when his calf kicked loose, giving Mayworth the national title.
"Ben didn't draw the best calf in the final round but he made a good run," Trojans coach Cliff Toliver said. "It was a great atmosphere, with the largest crowd ever at the event, more than 5,000 people.
"Ben was very excited and the other coaches from our region were excited as well because he was the first from the Ozark Region to win a national title since 2002."
With Mayworth's performance in the finals, the Troy men moved into a final position of 14th with 270 total points at the finals. The Trojans' women, who went to Wyoming as one of the favorites, failed to place in the top 35 teams.
The other members of Troy's men's team finished strong as well. The freshman tandem of Clint Keller and Ty Etheridge, who also competed in Saturday's final round, finished 10th in team roping while sophomore Andy Seiler, who teamed with Evin Burke of Murray State, finished 16th.
The top finisher for the Troy women was freshman Mary Owens, who was 19th in barrel racing while junior Camile Cox placed 32nd and sophomore Randa Dewees finished 35th. Junior Jackie Jacobs finished 32nd in breakaway roping and 47th in goat tying at the finals.
"The girls had a tough time all week, but it was a good week, overall," Toliver said. "All of the kids are looking forward to coming back again next year."
Toliver said that his stay in Casper was going to be extended by a day due to an unforseen situation. After the competition on Saturday night, Etheridge, a native of Franklin, Ga., fell ill and was taken to the hospital. Early Sunday morning he had his appendix removed.
"He's going to be fine," Toliver said. "I'm just glad they all decided to wait before heading home."
