EMCC rodeo teams finish fourth in men’s and fifth in women’s at regional event held at West Point’s Eagle Ranch

WEST POINT – As hosts of the third event in the Ozark Region's spring rodeo schedule, the East Mississippi Community College rodeo teams placed fourth in the men's division and fifth in the women's competition held this past weekend.  The three days of National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association competition concluded Saturday afternoon at West Point's Eagle Ranch.

Highlighting the men's action for EMCC was the sophomore team roping tandem of D.D. Hunt, of Noxubee County High School, and Shane Overby, of Raleigh High School, who collectively grabbed first-place honors with 260 total points between them.  Following a long-go effort of 13 seconds in the first round, the duo was then clocked at 8.3 seconds in the short-go championship round.

Freshman Tyler Watt, of Kemper Academy, contributed the Lions' other 25 points with times of 12.8 and 12.4 seconds in the calf roping competition.

In the men's standings, EMCC's 285 team points ranked just behind third-place Troy University (295 pts).  The University of West Alabama men, with 745 points, edged regional leader UT Martin by 50 points for the team title.

"I'd like to personally thank Mr. Luke Lummus, the West Point community and the staff at Eagle Ranch for their help and support in making this rodeo such a tremendous success," EMCC rodeo coach Morgan Goodrich said.  "I'd like to also extend my sincere appreciation to Dr. (EMCC President) Rick Young and to all of the EMCC administrators and staff members who helped make this collegiate rodeo become a reality this past week in West Point."

Former EMCC cowboy Will Lummus, an Oak Hill Academy product now competing for the University of Tennessee at Martin, won the steer wrestling event in his hometown with efforts of 4.2 and 4.4 seconds.  As a prior member of the East Mississippi Community College rodeo squad, Lummus was a two-time steer wrestling participant at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo.  

On the women's side, sophomore Kellie Hailey individually collected all of EMCC's 125 points.  The former Macon Central Academy standout earned 100 points for her second-place finish in the breakaway roping event with times of 3.7 and 4 seconds.  Hailey also added 25 points in the goat tying competition. 

The region-leading Troy University women claimed the team title with 380 points, followed by Missouri Valley College (180 pts), Northwest Mississippi Community College (170 pts) and Southern Arkansas University (160 pts).

The fourth event of the Ozark Region's spring rodeo slate, to be hosted by Northwest Mississippi Community College, is set for April 4-6 in Senatobia.