The SWTJC college rodeo rides into town this weekend

Uvalde, TX, September 29, 2021 - Southwest Texas Junior College will host its 59th consecutive National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) event on Oct. 1 and 2 at the Uvalde County Fairplex Rodeo Arena. Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

Over 300 collegiate athletes representing some 13 colleges and universities in the Southern Region are expected to compete in Uvalde.

Featured entertainment will be "Whiplash," the Cowboy Monkey at this year's event.

The SWTJC teams will go up against men's and women's teams from Sam Houston State University, Texas A&M College Station, Texas A&M Kingsville, McNeese State University (Lake Charles, La.), Hill College, Northeast Texas Community College, Trinity Valley Community College, Stephen F. Austin State University and Wharton Junior College.

In the men's division, bareback bronc riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, team roping, and bull riding will be held in the men's division. Events for the women include barrel racing, breakaway roping, and goat tying.

Tickets for nightly performances are $8 pre-sale and $10 at the gate. Local ticket outlets include Texas Farm Store, Rockin' R Western Wear, Hondo National Bank, and Oasis Outback.

Children 12 and under and SWTJC students who show a current student ID will be admitted free of charge.

The SWTJC Catholic Club will operate the concession stand at this year's rodeo, serving drinks and various food items. Proceeds from the concession stand will be used for club expenses.

Panola College kicked off this year's rodeo season the week before the SWTJC rodeo.

Jake Starns and Brady McDonald snatched the team roping win with a 5.3. Fletcher Jowers earned 86 points to cinch a bull riding win, while Lacy Bruening was a rapid 6.6 to split third place in the goat tying competition.

Taylor Lawson finished fifth in the barrel race event with 16.21 and a 9.2 to finish tenth in heading.

Barrel racer Maddie Brown ended up in tenth place with a time of 16.31. Whit Gutierrez and Cal Wolfe split ninth place each with a 10.4 in the tie down roping event.

The Cowboys are scheduled to compete in fall rodeos at Northeast Texas Community College, McNeese State University, and Sam Houston State University.