Trojan Cowboy First To Win Bull Riding Event

Thursday, September 23

Marshall, MO

Troy University

Missouri Valley College

Photo by: Troy University

Trojan Cowboy First To Win Bull Riding Event

9/27/2010 6:42:41 PM | Rodeo

By: Ricky Hazel

MVC RODEO RESULTS: HTML | PDF

MARSHALL, Mo. – The Troy University rodeo team did not have the kind of success they were hoping for over the weekend at a muddy Missouri Valley College Stampede, but the team did see a first in program history.

Freshman Justin Walker, a bull rider from LaBelle, Fla., became the first Trojan to capture the bull-riding competition at a collegiate event.

“That was a big first for Troy University,” Trojans coach Josh Simmons said. “He won the long round and short go and that gave him the overall. Everyone was real excited about that.”

Walker earned a score of 76 for his first ride in the long go to take first place, and followed with a score of 79 in the short go to win the event overall.

“I got one in the long round that was a little hard to track, but I was able to get a 76 on him,” Walker said. “In the short round I got one that turned left at the gate and then turned back right. I was able to stick it on him for a 79. It was pretty exciting.”

Walker's performance on the weekend was one of few bright spots, as both the Troy men and women finished in sixth place overall in the first event of the fall. The host team from Missouri Valley College won the men's side with a score of 755 points. UT-Martin won the women's side of the event with a score of 670.

“This rodeo is always a hard condition rodeo,” Simmons said. “We had a lot of rain and I think that got into all of their minds.”

Troy's men posted a total of 205 points, with Walker earning 155 of those. Will Bradley, a native of Kossuth, Miss., finished tied for 8th in the tie-down roping. Bradley posted a time of 11.0 second in the long go, but failed to post a time in the short go.

On the women's side, only Ally Hayes of Ft. Pierce, Fla., managed to put points on the board with a sixth place finish in the barrel racing with a total time of 32.35 seconds for her two runs.

The Trojans will be back in action this weekend when they travel to Magnolia, Ark., for the Southern Arkansas Rodeo.

“I hope we don't have any rain this week,” Simmons said. “It is another outdoor arena, but the weather looks good. I think the kids are really hungry and are looking forward to it.”