ABAC’S 2002-03 RODEO SEASON BEGINS SEPTEMBER 26

The Rodeo Team at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College will compete in its first rodeo of the season against Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Mo., Sept. 26 - 28.

ABAC Rodeo Team Coach Doug Hicks said he is confident about the upcoming rodeos.

“We have a very experienced team,” Hicks said. “Everyone on the team also competed last year. They all did well last year and proved themselves to be excellent competitors. Six out of eleven of the team members were eligible to go to the playoffs.

“We have a small team this year--four females and three males. But they are all top notch in their events. I enjoy working with a small team because it is more personal, and I get to know the team members well.”

ABAC rodeo team members include Ronnie Davis of Norman Park, Jody Whetsell of Twin City, Chad Farren of Cottondale, Fla., Brad Paulk of McDonough, Emma Chapman of La Fayette, Lori McCard of St. Cloud, Fla., and Jennifer Hill of Ashburn.

Hicks said Davis and Whetsell are especially strong competitors. Davis ranked first in the nation in calf roping and second in the region in team roping last season before the playoffs and finals. Whetsell ranked first in the region in barrel racing before the playoffs and finals. Overall, the men’s team placed fourth in the region before playoffs, and the women’s team placed fifth.

Four ABAC team members went to the National Finals last year. The men’s team placed tenth in the nation. Will Lane of Hoboken ranked second in the nation in calf roping. Davis ranked sixth in the nation in the same event.

Hicks said it was great to see his team members do so well in the finals.

“As a first-time coach, I was proud to see the team compete so well,” Hicks said. “The students are so driven and determined. I can’t take credit for how well they did. They worked very hard, and they deserve all the credit.”

ABAC will host the annual Peach State Stampede, the only rodeo to be held in Tifton, on March 6 - 8. Various colleges from across the United States will participate in this rodeo.

The Rodeo Team at ABAC is a member of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA). ABAC competes in the NIRA’s Ozark Region, composed of 14 colleges and universities ranging from Michigan to Arkansas. ABAC has the only intercollegiate team on the Eastern seaboard.

The men’s team participates in calf roping, team roping, steer wrestling, bull riding, bareback bronco riding, and saddle bronco riding. The women’s team competes in break‑away calf roping, goat tying, barrel racing, and team roping.

Hicks said he encourages rodeo fans to visit the NIRA web site at www.collegerodeo.com to learn about upcoming events and team rankings.

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