Cowboys Cash in at Rodeo Season Finale
By Sugar Almand
Uvalde, TX, May 5, 2025 - The Southwest Texas College Rodeo Team went out in style at the NIRA Southern Region season closer held at Hill College in Hillsboro, Texas April 18 and 19.
Among the many titles the team brought home, the biggest story was a clean sweep in barrel racing from the cowgirls.
Acey Pinkston won the event, clinching the regional barrel racing title. Her teammate Alissa Flores was crowned the reserve champion, and cowgirl Natalia Ramirez took third for the season. Breakaway roper Carlee Martinez finished third overall, assisting the team to the prestigious regional women’s team title. The four cowgirls punched their ticket to the College National Finals in Casper, Wyoming in June.
“What these ladies did is absolutely unheard of,” said coach Joey Almand. Only three contestants in each event qualify. The Southern region is one of the toughest regions to get out of because the competition is so fierce. When you consider we are competing against older more experienced competitors that in many cases are in their fifth year—Sweeping all three slots to Casper is an incredible feat. Even though this is our second women’s team qualification since I started coaching here, it’s been a very long time since our college actually won the women’s team title. I’m very excited to head to the finals with these four cowgirls. They have a great opportunity to achieve something great in Wyoming.”
Cowboy Tyler Calhoun won the regional All-Around Cowboy title, which qualified him for the CNFR in two events. Calhoun won the reserve champion tie down roper title and also qualified as a header in the team roping.
Teammate Slade Wood won the reserve All Around Cowboy title, the Team Roping Heading title and qualified in the tie down roping.
Wood’s Heeler Jayse Tettenhorst won the Team Roping Heeling title and is the third cowboy heading to Casper.
“Although our men’s team did not qualify as a six-man group, having these three strong competitors advancing to the CNFR gives us an actual “team” opportunity. Between these three men, they will carry five events to run at up there—and that’s absolutely enough to compete for a men’s team title in Casper.”
Other Southwest Texas College team members finishing in the top ten for the season were team roping header Chase Sandstrom in sixth, steer wrestler Garret Keeling in seventh and tie down roper Cort Boyd in ninth.
“What an amazing season our Cowboys have had,” concluded coach Almand. “I love that we have seven going to Casper. It’s a lofty achievement. And while Casper is no cakewalk, I love our chances. These seven are fierce and accomplished. They ride incredible equine athletes, work hard at what they do and proved they are finishers this season. I hope we represent our college and our community of Uvalde with the same success in Casper. Nothing would make us any prouder than bringing home some National wins.”