Texas Tech was well represented at the 2005 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (Professional) in Las Vegas December 2nd-11th. Wes Stevenson, a rodeo alum and Interdisciplinary Ag major, won first in the first of ten go-rounds in the bareback bronc riding event, placed 3rd in the average or aggregate after ten bucking horses, and finished 3rd in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world standings. His total winnings were $92,379 over the last ten days and $167,834 for the year. Ryan Gray, a current Interdisciplinary Ag student, won two go-rounds out of ten in bareback riding and finished 6th in the world standings. Ryan won $46,189 at the finals and $140,606 for the year. Ryan is also the captain of the Texas Tech University Rodeo Team. Talina Byrd, a rodeo alum, placed 6th in the average; her earnings for the professional rodeo finals was $35,841 and $88,793 for the year. Kyle Bowers, the 2000 reserve national champion intercollegiate bareback rider, won $17,200 at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and $123,748 for the year. This was Kyle’s second trip to the national finals. He is also the Canadian Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association champion. Several media outlets including television, newspaper, radio, web pages, programs, and magazine articles mentioned the group as being from Texas Tech throughout their competitions this past year and during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. We are very proud of these Texas Tech rodeo students and alums and wish them continued success in their lives.

User ID: 4