NMJC rodeo athletes earn WJCAC honors

HOBBS, N.M. — The New Mexico Junior College rodeo team had three athletes receive All-Western Junior College Athletic Conference recognition Thursday.

NMJC's Keely Bonnett earned first-team honors in tie down roping. Bonnett finished fifth in the region in the event with 270 points – just 25 points off of qualifying for the College National Finals Rodeo.

Devin Wigemyr earned first-team honors for NMJC as a team roping heeler. Wigemyr took fourth in the region and will be picked up for the CNFR.

NMJC's Kellie Collier earned honorable mention honors in barrel racing. Collier qualified for the CNFR by taking third with 490 points.

Anna Burton earned honorable mention in goat tying as well for NMJC.

Wigemyr and Collier will compete at the CNFR June 14-20 in Casper, Wyo.

2015 WJCAC Rodeo Awards

Women's Team Champion: Odessa College

Men's Coach of the Year: Greg Rhodes – Western Texas College

Women's Coach of the Year: CJ Aragon – Odessa College

Men's Athlete of the Year: Shane O'Connell – Western Texas College

Women's Athlete of the Year: Rylee Jo Dick – Odessa College

All-Conference Performers

Saddle Bronc – 1^st Team: Hawkins Boyce – Odessa College

                         HM: Colten Jackson – Clarendon College

Bareback Riding – 1^st Team: Shane O'Connell – Western Texas College

                              HM: Jamie Howlett – Western Texas College

Bull Riding – 1^st Team: Josh Griggs – Frank Phillips College

                      HM: Bradie Gray – Odessa College

Tie Down Roping – 1^st Team: Keely Bonnett – New Mexico Junior College

                               HM: Randall Teague – South Plains College

Steer Wrestling – 1^st Team: Chet Boren – Odessa College

                              HM: Hank Filippini – Odessa College

Team Roping Header – 1^st Team: Wyatt Casper – Clarendon College (TIE)

                                     1^st Team: Twister Vinson – Western Texas College (TIE)

Team Roping Heeler – 1^st Team: Devin Wigemyr – New Mexico Junior College

                                     HM: Jose Domenigo – South Plains College

Barrel Racing – 1^st Team: Rylee Jo Dick – Odessa College

                          HM: Kellie Collier – New Mexico Junior College

Breakaway Roping – 1^st Team: Tamara Tunink – Western Texas College

                                  HM: Rylee Jo Dick – Odessa College

Goat Tying – 1^st Team: Brittany Jo Cudworth – Odessa College

                      HM: Anna Burton – New Mexico Junior College