West Hills Rodeo gets off to good start at Feather River Challenge

The men’s and women’s teams and individual team members traveled to Quincy, CA for these first two rodeos of the season and came out with several top scores.

“We’re proud of our showing at the Feather River Challenge and plan on working just as hard at the next competition,” said Justin Hampton, Head Rodeo Coach. “We’re excited to be back in season. All of our student athletes competed at a high level, and West Hills College is proud of them and their representation of our programs.”

Sophomore Case Hirdes was the high point earner in Tie Down Roping after winning the first rodeo and splitting 3/4th in the second rodeo. He finished the two rodeos in first place in the region for tie-down roping.

Sophomore Brushton Minton was able to wrestle his way to the top of the standings in steer wrestling after placing 4th in the first rodeo and winning the second. He was able to grapple 170 points out of the 2nd rodeo with a 2nd place finish in the first round, 1st place finish in the short round, and the average victory. Minton also placed in Tie Down Roping in the first rodeo, earning him a third-place spot in the All-Around standings. His performance earned him a ninth-place spot in tie-down roping at the regional level and first place in steer wrestling regionally.

Freshman Justin Rowell was able to ride both of his bulls in the 2nd rodeo for the event win allowing him to earn 160 points and currently has him on top of the Bull Riding standings regionally.

Freshman Javier Gutierrez placed fourth during the first rodeo in Team Roping.  Other team members who competed included Freshman Austin Lopez and Logan Colunga.

The women’s team also dominated. Sophomore Abigayle Hampton and Freshman Kaci Tidwell placed 5th in the second rodeo in team roping. The women’s team finished as the overall team champions of the second rodeo and are currently ranked second overall in the West Coast Region.  

Hampton came away from the Feather River Challenge with the All-Around Championship and the coveted Silver Stirrups. She finished first in the breakaway at the first rodeo and second in the same event at the second rodeo.

She is currently ranked 2nd in the region in Goat Tying and first in Breakaway Roping.

Tidwell was able to place in two of her events, adding points to the women’s team overall score.

Meagan Miller competed hard in Breakaway, Goat Tying, and Team Roping.

The WHCC Men’s Rodeo team now ranks fifth in the West Coast Region while the women’s team is in second place.