NTCC to host annual NIRA Rodeo

Rodeo fans will get to see more than 300 athletes from throughout the Southern Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) compete for points and prizes next weekend as Northeast Texas Community College its 25th annual rodeo. The event will be held October 20-21 at the Pittsburg Rodeo Arena on HWY 271 N in Pittsburg.

Rodeo action will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday Night and at 1 p.m. on Saturday Afternoon.

?An important part of rodeo is putting on a great show for the audience. We feel confident that this year?s NTCC rodeo is going to be a blast for folks of all ages.† You will get to see some of the best collegiate rodeo athletes in the country compete on some of the best stock from award winning Wing Ranch Rodeo Company? NTCC head rodeo coach Skylar Hunnicutt, said.

In addition to NTCC athletes, the colleges and universities competing this weekend include: Texas A&M University, McNeese State University, Sam Houston State University, Stephen F. Austin University, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Hill College, Wharton County Junior College, Southwest Texas Junior College, Panola College, Trinity Valley Community College, Blinn College and Texas State University, LSU Alexandria, Texas A&M Commerce.

The NTCC Rodeo is one of 10 NIRA Southern Region rodeos. The men will compete in bull riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, bareback riding, and saddle bronc riding. The women will compete in barrel racing, breakaway roping, and goat tying with men and women competing in team roping. The students will be vying for points for their chance to compete at the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) held in Casper, WY in June. At the conclusion of the ten Southern Region Rodeos, the top three contestants in each event go onto the CNFR to compete for a National title.

Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for children 12 and under, and NTCC students with ID and children under seven are free.† For more information, contact Hunnicutt at 903-434-8274. Fans can follow the results at†www.collegerodeo.com.

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