The Tarleton State University’s men’s rodeo team will look to pick up back-to-back championships for the first time ever at the annual College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) June 15-21 in Casper, Wyo. The 2024 national title marked the fifth for the Tarleton men since 1967.
While a national crown is difficult in any sport, rodeo has its own unique challenges that make repeating an impressive feat.
“When you’ve got horses and cattle and people, there are a lot of variables that have to go your way,” said Tarleton State head coach Mark Eakin. “It’s not like you run your best 11 players out on the field and compete.”
This team, however, is in a great position to overcome those long odds.
“As long as we draw well and don’t beat ourselves, it’s a great possibility,” Eakin said. “This team is very capable of repeating.”
Leading the six-man Tarleton State team are three competitors with experience at the CNFR in steer wrestler Landris White, tie-down roper Brayden Roe and saddle bronc rider Bailey Small.
White is headed to Casper for the second time. Last year’s CNFR reserve champion qualified this year as the regional steer wrestling champion.
He is certain the experience of this year’s team bodes well.
“It will help us a whole lot,” he said. “We know what to expect when we get up there. We know what it takes to win, and we know what we need to do to win another national title.”
White, a graduate student from Angleton, is one of three who will represent Tarleton State for the final time. He was a key reason why the team won eight of 10 National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Southwest Region regular season stops.
“We were all focused on getting back to the CNFR,” he said. “This will be the last time several of us will be eligible to qualify. We knew if we wanted to be national champions again, we had to take care of business starting with the very first rodeo of the season.”
