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Show UVU to host only home rodeo of the season MATT BEAUDRY Sports writer The UVU Rodeo Team hosts their sole "home game" of the spring season this weekend in Heber, giving fans and newbies alike a chance to watch topranked UVU athletes compete in one of the final rodeos of the season. The three-day rodeo at the Wasatch County Special Events Center in Heber will be the second-to-last rodeo for Wolverine competitors to qualify for the National Collegiate Rodeo Championships, and coach Shane Draper says that his teams are in a good spot to earn a trip to Nationals in June. The women's team presently holds second place in the Rocky Mountain region and only 70 points separate the UVU team from third and fourth place competition, 'it's pretty tight," Draper said, emphasizing that the women are hitting their peak performances at the right time. Hilary Bair rode to the women's all-around top title two weeks ago in Ogden and teammates Tori Thacker and freshman Jade Lyons improve with each rodeo. Draper said. Barrel racer Riley Spiker could have a breakout weekend if she can leave the barrels standing, he added. The men's team is healthy and strong after recovering from their injuries at the St. George Rodeo three weeks ago. The men' s team has five individual competitors that are already qualified for nationals — regional leaders Connor Kent and Colton Bair in the bareback event, Taylor White in bronco riding, top regional steer-wrestler Jake Woolstenhulme and fellow wrestler Baylor Roche. White is also in a good position to earn a national berth in bull riding. . The men's team is presently in third place, only 40 points out of second. Only the top two teams from the region will go on to the national finals rodeo in Casper, Wyoming in June. In-state competitor Weber State sits between UVU and a national berth, but Draper is optimistic that the next two weekends will afford the men the chances they need to move into second. "This Heber rodeo will have a iot of good, rough stock and that gives our riders their best chances," Draper explained. Broken Heart Stock Company is supplying the horses and bulls for the Heber rodeo. Their animals have been used in the pro rodeo circuits and the famous National Finals Rodeo (NFR) events, and Draper says that good stock translates into good rides - and good scores. He noted that his ropers and riders are coming on strong in practice and he expects three solid days from all members on both teams. When: Thursday March 26 at 7pm Friday March 27 at 7pm Saturday March 28 at 5pm W h e r e : Heber Photo Credit:Dan Hubbel Taylor White and the rest of the UVU rodeo team get ready to host their first rodeo of the season in Heber, Utah. START OUT ON TOR START COMMANDING Dress up START RAISING T or dress down your favoritp Black/White Apparel! VSTART HIGHER. START*ONE STEP AHEAD. MOVING Fri. March 27th UVU Student Center Ballroom START LEADING FROM DAY ONE. START STRONG: > There's strong. Then there's Army Strong. If yo want to be a leader in life, joining Army ROTC aj Utah Valley University is the strongest way t o ' ; J ^ ^ ^ start. It provides hands-on leadership $,. il®?^ development. Plus you can earn a full-tuition, v > i merit-based scholarship up to $150,000. After ;; : - graduation, you'll begin your career as an Officer. With a start like that, there's no limit to ; •7 what you can achieve. i T o qet started c n 9pm- 12am > /ARMYHftTr fc- AIUT1I n u l l * lllfc»* sHSfefiiTiir '•" - ? *act LTC Ron Fischerj or visit www.uvu.edu/rotc/.; ASK ABOUT FULL TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS AND THE $5,000 BONUS FOR OUR SUMMER LEADERS TRAINING COURSE. CONTACT 801-863-6495 OR RONALD.FISCHER@UVU.EDU. TEXT •BYUr TO 76821 (R0TC1J $1 of your ticket will support J More info @ Utahtap.org -x< |