Troy University Athletics
Photo by: Kevin Glackmeyer
Troy Rodeo Preparing for Spring Schedule
1/25/2013 2:36:00 PM | Rodeo
TROY, Ala. – As the spring schedule of the Ozark Region draws near, the Troy rodeo team has a lot at stake over the next two months.
After completing the 10th Annual Trojan Stampede last November, the teams will now focus on five trips to three different states, and will begin the spring portion of the schedule Feb. 21-23 at the CCUA Collegiate Rodeo in Texarkana, Ark.
The men's team was highlighted by impressive individual performances in the fall, and couldn't quite find the team success they wanted, but head coach Josh Simmons said he's excited about the men's future heading into the semester.
“The guys got off to a slow semester last fall, but it's always nice to come back new and fresh,” Simmons said. “Everybody seems to be upbeat and they seem to be working hard.”
The men currently sit 10th overall in the region with 510 points. Zach Mabry, a solid performer in the heeling portion of team roping, sits second in the event with 375 points. Mabry and his partner, Ben Walker of Tennessee-Martin, finished the fall schedule with four top-five finishes over five events – third (twice), second, and fifth.
Two other Trojan Spurs Simmons is excited about are sophomore Nelson Wyatt and senior Lane Taylor. Wyatt finished the 2011-2012 year with a load of success in the calf roping, team roping and steer wrestling events, while Taylor brings consistency to the team roping category.
“Nelson Wyatt is my superstar and he's the backbone,” Simmons said. “Lane and Nelson have worked together a lot in the past, both within collegiate rodeo and outside in other events, and having those two back working together really helps us.”
After winning the opening event of the season last fall, the women have their sights set on the first place team of Southern Arkansas. The Trojans sit second with 1,188 points, less than a 100 behind the Muleriders.
“We've all got together and talked about the girls' success and they look to improve on what they've done,” Simmons said. “A new semester is always exciting and they're glad to be back out there working at it.”
Kassandra Smith, a junior who competes in three different events, has proved herself in goat tying thus far. Smith is just 45 points out of first place in the region, behind Southern Arkansas' Loni Pearce. She recorded two second place finishes and one third place finish last fall, and could propel herself to first in the event with just one rodeo.
Kelsey Kennemer, a newcomer to the program, is within reach of the leaders in breakaway roping, as she sits fourth with 203 points. The Anderson, Ala. native has also had success in goat tying, with 60 points in the event for a 15th place standing.
Anna Niewoehner and Kesia Smith are two of the other athletes Simmons is excited about, as Niewoehner sits 11th in breakaway roping with 120 points, while Smith is ninth in goat tying with 175 points. Morgan Sellars, also a freshman, is tied for eighth in barrel racing with 140 points.
“I'm looking forward to performance by Kennemer, Sellars, Niewoehner and the two Smith's,” Simmons said. “Most of them are freshman and it's going to be pretty exciting to see them get back.”
The Trojans will take part in their second event of the year on Mar. 14-16, at the UAM Collegiate Rodeo in Monticello, Ark., before traveling to Scooba, Miss., a week later to East Mississippi Community College. Senatobia, Miss., will welcome the Trojans on Apr. 4-6, before the Trojans trek to their final rodeo of the season on Apr. 11-13 in Martin, Tenn., at the UTM Collegiate Rodeo.
For more information, be sure to visit TroyTrojans.com. Fans can find Troy Athletics on Twitter at @TroyAthletics, Troy Rodeo at @TroyRodeo, and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TroyAthletics, or www.Facebook.com/TroyUniversityRodeoTeam.
After completing the 10th Annual Trojan Stampede last November, the teams will now focus on five trips to three different states, and will begin the spring portion of the schedule Feb. 21-23 at the CCUA Collegiate Rodeo in Texarkana, Ark.
The men's team was highlighted by impressive individual performances in the fall, and couldn't quite find the team success they wanted, but head coach Josh Simmons said he's excited about the men's future heading into the semester.
“The guys got off to a slow semester last fall, but it's always nice to come back new and fresh,” Simmons said. “Everybody seems to be upbeat and they seem to be working hard.”
The men currently sit 10th overall in the region with 510 points. Zach Mabry, a solid performer in the heeling portion of team roping, sits second in the event with 375 points. Mabry and his partner, Ben Walker of Tennessee-Martin, finished the fall schedule with four top-five finishes over five events – third (twice), second, and fifth.
Two other Trojan Spurs Simmons is excited about are sophomore Nelson Wyatt and senior Lane Taylor. Wyatt finished the 2011-2012 year with a load of success in the calf roping, team roping and steer wrestling events, while Taylor brings consistency to the team roping category.
“Nelson Wyatt is my superstar and he's the backbone,” Simmons said. “Lane and Nelson have worked together a lot in the past, both within collegiate rodeo and outside in other events, and having those two back working together really helps us.”
After winning the opening event of the season last fall, the women have their sights set on the first place team of Southern Arkansas. The Trojans sit second with 1,188 points, less than a 100 behind the Muleriders.
“We've all got together and talked about the girls' success and they look to improve on what they've done,” Simmons said. “A new semester is always exciting and they're glad to be back out there working at it.”
Kassandra Smith, a junior who competes in three different events, has proved herself in goat tying thus far. Smith is just 45 points out of first place in the region, behind Southern Arkansas' Loni Pearce. She recorded two second place finishes and one third place finish last fall, and could propel herself to first in the event with just one rodeo.
Kelsey Kennemer, a newcomer to the program, is within reach of the leaders in breakaway roping, as she sits fourth with 203 points. The Anderson, Ala. native has also had success in goat tying, with 60 points in the event for a 15th place standing.
Anna Niewoehner and Kesia Smith are two of the other athletes Simmons is excited about, as Niewoehner sits 11th in breakaway roping with 120 points, while Smith is ninth in goat tying with 175 points. Morgan Sellars, also a freshman, is tied for eighth in barrel racing with 140 points.
“I'm looking forward to performance by Kennemer, Sellars, Niewoehner and the two Smith's,” Simmons said. “Most of them are freshman and it's going to be pretty exciting to see them get back.”
The Trojans will take part in their second event of the year on Mar. 14-16, at the UAM Collegiate Rodeo in Monticello, Ark., before traveling to Scooba, Miss., a week later to East Mississippi Community College. Senatobia, Miss., will welcome the Trojans on Apr. 4-6, before the Trojans trek to their final rodeo of the season on Apr. 11-13 in Martin, Tenn., at the UTM Collegiate Rodeo.
For more information, be sure to visit TroyTrojans.com. Fans can find Troy Athletics on Twitter at @TroyAthletics, Troy Rodeo at @TroyRodeo, and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TroyAthletics, or www.Facebook.com/TroyUniversityRodeoTeam.
𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗹 - 𝗦𝟭𝟬, 𝗘𝟮
Wednesday, September 10
Troy Football Press Conference (Players) - Memphis Game
Monday, September 08
Gerad Parker Press Conference - Memphis Game
Monday, September 08
Player Postgame Press Conference (Luke Hodge, Tray Taylor) - No. 8 Clemson
Sunday, September 07