Lyvan Gonzalez wins the Team Roping at WTC Rodeo, T-Birds Send 5 to Short Round
The T-Bird men's rodeo team finished with five student-athletes in the Short Round of the Western Texas College Rodeo on Saturday, March 28.
Lyvan Gonzalez won his second rodeo of his career at the Western Texas College Rodeo this week. He previously won the team roping at Sul Ross State in 2024.
The sophomore header was third in the Long Round of the team roping in Snyder, Texas. The Hobbs local recorded a 6.1 second run to earn 40 points. He followed that up with a first-place finish in the Short Round registering a 5.9 second time to add 60 points to his total. Gonzalez was first in average at 12 seconds winning the rodeo and picking up an additional 60 points for a total of 160 points this week.
"Anytime you can rack up 160 points and win a college rodeo, it's pretty special," NMJC men's rodeo head coach Stewy Kinley said. "Lyvan roped really well there last year and it was good to see him and John Hisel get the win there this year. They're having to catch up in the standings a bit. They put themselves back in contention to have a shot at making nationals which was pretty cool."
Treyden Gonzales finished tied for third in the tie down roping. The sophomore was sixth in the Long Round with a 13.2 second run to notch 10 points. He won the short go with an 8.8 second run which earned him 60 points. Gonzales posted a 22 in the average to record an additional 40 points. The tie down roper has made the short go six times this year and ended the WTC rodeo with 110 total points. Gonzales is now in a tie for first place in the Caprock Region tie down roping standings with 495 points.
"Trey has been so impressive this year," Coach Kinley said. "He's not making mistakes, and his hustle and effort have made the difference every week. His first calf was strong and didn't want to take the tie. He had to really mash and hustle to just make the Short Round where he drew the loper and executed the plan perfectly. Trey ended up winning the Short Round but was too long on his first one to win the average. Those points propelled him to the top of the tie down standings in the region.
Connor Box was second in the Long Round of the tie down roping but received a no time in the Short Round. He finished with 50 points towards the men's team score. Cash Trexler was the third tie down roper to make the Short Round. The sophomore was eighth in the Long Round with a 13.4 second run. He was a no time in the short go.
"Connor made an outstanding run on his first calf," Coach Kinley said. "He won 2nd in the Long Round but missed his Short Round calf," Coach Kinley said. "Cash was one of the first tie down ropers out and was a bit late at the start. He did what he could and ended up making the Short Round in the 7th spot. He missed in the Short Round but will be looking for redemption in two weeks."
Teagan Taylor-Roukema was eighth in the Long Round with an 8.6 run. The sophomore was a no time this week in the Short Round. Roukema has made the Short Round in 6-of-7 rodeos.
"Teagan just keeps making Short Rounds," Coach Kinley said. "I expect they'll make the rest of them as well. That's how much he and Jacob expect to win and can back it up. They've been fun to watch."
The T-Bird heeler is leading the Caprock Region standings with 620 points. The nearest competition is 185 points away.
The men's team finished with 210 points at the rodeo via the Gonzalez and Box finishes. The team is now in fifth place in the Caprock Region with 2055 points.
The T-Birds will have a week off before they compete again at the Howard College Rodeo in Big Spring, Texas April 9-11.