OJC Press Release ID: 2530

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

OJC Rodeo athlete Nicole Waggoner set to compete at the College National Finals Rodeo

Otero Junior College Rodeo stand out Nicole Waggoner (Fowler) is ready to start competition at the College National Finals Rodeo. Over 400 cowboys and cowgirls from over 100 universities and colleges travel to Casper, Wyo. each year to compete for a National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association title.

Waggoner finished the year splitting third and fourth place in the Central Rocky Mountain Region barrel racing standings, qualifying her for the College National Finals Rodeo with 540 points. She is the first Otero Junior College rodeo contestant to ever qualify for the CNFR since it was reinstated in 2009.

“I could not be more proud of Nicole. She has been through so much with her horses the past few years and she deserves to be a national champion. She is dedicated to the sport, works extremely hard both in and out of the arena, I have no doubt that she will be in the championship round representing Otero,” said Head Rodeo Coach Linsay Sumpter.

Waggoner will compete in three preliminary rounds: Monday June 13, Tuesday June 14 and Wednesday June 15. She is vying for a spot in the championship round June 18.

The Rattler Rodeo program will be back to action in the fall starting in September. For more information about the OJC Rodeo team, contact Sumpter at Linsay.Sumpter@ojc.edu.

Nicole Waggoner will compete at the College National Finals Rodeo next week in barrel racing. Photo by BKGauck Photography.