The Texas Tech women's rodeo team made school history late Saturday (June 16) night, winning its first national championship at the 64th annual College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in Casper, Wyo.

The Red Raiders finished atop the standings with 423.3 points, while Central Wyoming College (335) and Sam Houston State University (300) were second and third, respectively. Fellow Big 12 Conference school Texas A&M finished 20th (105).

Texas Tech won a men's rodeo national championship in 1955 and several other men and women individual national championships. But Saturday night was the first national championship for the women's team, which consisted of team members Bailey Guthrie, a senior exercise and sport sciences graduate from Rigby, Idaho; Haley Nelson, an English graduate from Channing; Jessica Frost, a senior animal and food science major from Santa Barbara, Calif.; and Taylor Langdon, a junior radiology technology major from Aubrey.

"I feel very happy for each of the girls, their families and Texas Tech University friends and alumni," said Chris Guay, rodeo coach and animal and food science instructor. "History was made for them as they came together as a team and had a remarkable year. After dominating the Southwest region regular season they had an incredible showing at the College National Finals Rodeo."

In April, the women's team captured the Southwest region championship with two events still remaining. They entered last week's CNFR ranked seventh in the nation. Individually, Nelson won reserve national champion in barrel racing and Langon finished fifth. Guthrie, who is getting married next weekend in her hometown, finished 10th in goat tying.

"I feel sad for Bailey because she has dominated the regular season in goat tying for two years in a row," Guay said. "We all want to win and do our best, but Hailey, Bailey, Taylor and Jessica will be successful in all they do. I wish them happiness and success in all their endeavors."

CONTACT: Chris Guay, rodeo coach, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2805 ext. 256 or www.ttu.edu/rodeo

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