Ozark College Region Home to Household Names in Rodeo

After the fall semester of college rodeos these up and coming athletes lead the standings, and are destined for so much more.

Andrea Hanson | Nov 25, 2023

Ozark College Region Home to Household Names in Rodeo /

Of the 11 regions in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, students from the Ozark region finally finished their fall season at Murray State University.

With an impressive lead for the men's teams, Missouri Valley College charges almost 1,600 points ahead of Northwest Mississippi Community College. MVC's Ty Pope is to thank as he leads the all-around just shy of 1,400 points, followed by Chris Cagle of NWMSCC with 650 points.

University of West Alabama's cowgirls have a considerable 675 point lead over Pearl River Community College. Kate Eiland sits by herself in the all-around currently at 715 points for Pearl River.

The Ozark region has been home to many recent champions, with the University of West Alabama bringing home two CNFR wins in 2023. The mens team is mere 15 points behind second place, dominating the calf roping they could qualify if they can move up in their other events as well.

The women in control of the barrel racing are a fierce pair of sisters, representing UWAL are Jaylie and Taycie Matthews in first and second. Both CNFR champions, its now Taycies turn to conquer a new challenge, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

No stranger to the NFR either is Ty Pope, little brother to World Champion bareback rider Jess Pope. Ty leads both the saddle bronc and bareback standings in the Ozark region with a 2022 championship. It's very possible we could see both Pope brothers at the NFR in the near future.

The Ozark region will continue their rodeos in the spring semester with five left to go, sending the top two mens and womens teams, and top three individuals from each event to the College National Finals Rodeo hosted in Casper, Wyoming, in June.

Published Nov 25, 2023

ANDREA HANSON

Andrea Hanson strives to live the western lifestyle every day. Growing up in northern Minnesota, resources to the rodeo world were scarce. Though other hobbies persist, as her father is widely known in the snowmobile racing community. Knowing that season was short, she was always drawn to horses as her sister with Rett Syndrome was in hippotherapy since she was a young age. When the scholarship opportunity to Dodge City Community College in Dodge City, Kansas came, she jumped on it. Moving south just a barrel racer, she worked every day to tie goats and rope calves. Concluding her time in Kansas, she continued her education at Oklahoma State University, where she will graduate in May of 2024 with a Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Communications. Hanson is passionate about college rodeo, and its impact on her life. After not having a traditional step into the rodeo world herself, she strives to share the stories of others in the industry so many call home.