By SARAH OTTO
Student Reporter
Reigning college national finals rodeo team roping champion claims Northwestern as his new home.
Sawyer Barham, originally from Ochelata, Oklahoma, started his college career at Coffeyville Community College, and now has made the change to be a Ranger for his senior year.
Barham said, “Hunter Munsell (fellow Ranger and team roping partner) and Stockton Graves (Northwestern head rodeo coach) are both reasons why I chose Northwestern.”
Barham claimed the team roping championship title in the 2014-2015 season, but he is not ready to stop his college rodeo career there. He has set plans for this season, resembling his mindset last season. He said, “I plan on going in with the same game plan as I had last year. I want to have fun, be confident, and just let it be.” Barham plans to not let the “pressure” of being the reigning champion to get into his head, or mess with his game.
“Sawyer is a great asset to the team. He has so much natural talent; it almost will make you jealous. People strive to rope like Sawyer, it’s a great benefit to have him,” said student assistant coach Trisha Price.
Other than his athleticism in the arena, she described how great of a kid Barham is to be around and be friends with. “Him winning the national finals last year at the collegiate level is just another notch on his belt, he will go far outside of college rodeo,” Price said.