By:Patrick Hall Monday, 25 September, 2006

Last year was a banner season for the Pratt Community College Rodeo Team, and if experience proves to be a determining factor of success, then this year could be even better. Based upon that experience, Head Coach Doug Janke expects to send four cowboys to Nationals this year.

Getting to the College Rodeo Nationals is no small feat. Only 3 competitors per event will make it from each region. There are only 10 Rodeos for the year, so you have only 10 chances to score enough points to get you in the top three. With anywhere from 30 to 100 entrants per event, it's a rough go. Add to that the fate factor of getting a good draw, and you've got a daunting task.

Even so, Coach Janke thinks this year's team is up for the challenge.

"We had the best team in years last year," said Janke. "We sent three cowboys to Nationals, and I think this year's group is going to be even stronger. To add to our own experience, we picked up a couple of transfers who will make us even tougher."

Notable among those is steer wrestler and calf roper Trevor Eppert, a transfer from NE Oklahoma. Adding even more experience to the arena will be senior Travis Thimesh (Spivey), who competes in bareback, team roping and steer wrestling.

Another standout steer wrestler is sophomore Will Tetrick (Kingman), who finished 4th in the region last year. Joining Tetrick in the sophomore ranks will be steer wrestler and calf roper Grant Heller (Sylvan Grove) and steer wrestler Shawn Lehmhuhler (Arnold, NE). Janke also expects a lot from California freshman, Chris Vaughn, who competes in saddle bronc, steer wrestling, and calf roping.

On the women's side junior Amy Prather (Goddard) returns in barrel racing. Another junior, Beth Hager (Thayer) will bring her experience to barrel racing and breakaway. Janke will expect a strong showing from two sophomores Ronnie Beil (Leoti), competing in breakaway and goat tying, and Brodie Williams (Wallace), competing in breakaway. And Janke also is expecting Wisconsin freshman Samantha King to do well in barrels and goat tying.

Pratt will compete in three fall rodeos: Colby (Sept. 29, 30, Oct. 1), The PCC Rodeo (Oct. 6-8) and NW Oklahoma State (Nov. 9-11). The PCC Rodeo is by far the largest fall rodeo, with at least 20 of the 23 region teams competing and nearly 500 entrants.