By CALI GRIFFIN
Rodeo Coach
Rangers, we better get ready because the 2024 Ranger Rodeo is coming up in the end of October through the beginning of November.
Our region is one of 11 regions across the nation that make up the NIRA, or National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, and consists of 17 schools across Kansas and Oklahoma.
Our region gets to host 10 rodeos a year—us being lucky enough to host a home rodeo— before the top three student athletes in each event and top two teams qualify for the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming, in June.
Alva will host over 525 student athletes, their friends and families over a four-day period starting Oct. 31 at 7 p.m., Nov. 1 also at 7 p.m. The short go (the Top 12 in each event) will be held on Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. where the team and event champions will be crowned.
Also a jackpot event will be held Sunday as well.
Events such as bull riding, calf roping, bronc riding, breakaway, team roping, and steer wrestling will be held at the Woods County Fairgrounds over the weekend.
Students are currently selling ads as well as raffle tickets, which go to helping us cover the costs of hosting the rodeo.
Spectators at the rodeo also help with offsetting costs.
The support of our great community is what makes hosting this event possible.
We are currently gearing up to get ready to head to Durant, the third rodeo of our 10-rodeo season.
The team has had a strong start so far with senior Emmett Edler leading the way by winning the Men’s All Around at Kansas State University, and freshmen Payton Dingman winning Reserve Women’s All around.
Senior Kerry Duvall finished fourth overall in the calf roping event and Jaci Traul, masters program student, finished strong for the women’s team by winning the breakaway event.
The team is really looking forward to pushing through the next few rodeos and finish the fall at our home rodeo. We hope to see you all there. and like always, Ride, Rangers, Ride.
