Panola College To Host Rodeo

This Friday and Saturday the College Rodeo Circuit comes to Carthage, TX.  Panola College will be hosting the Southern Region Rodeo with the top cowgirls/cowboys from across the Southern Region.  This includes schools such as Panola College, Texas A&M University, Sam Houston State University, McNeese State University, Texas A&M – Kingsville, Hill College, Wharton College, Northeast Texas Community College, Trinity Valley Community College, Southwest Texas Junior College, and Lone Star College.

Both night performances on Friday and Saturday will begin at 7:30 at the Panola County Cattleman’s Arena in Carthage on N. Hwy 79.  Slack performances will begin each day at noon.  Admission to the rodeo will be $5.  All students will be free.

Panola College’s success this year through the first 5 rodeos has been paced by Jacob Marcell, a freshman bullrider from Schriever, La who is sitting 4th in the region;  Austin Walock, a freshman bullrider from Denham Springs, La who is sitting in 12^th; Corey Fussell a freshman saddlebronc rider from Arcadia, FL.; Bryce Barney a freshman tie down roper and steer wrestler from Carthage who is sitting 13^th in steer wrestling;  Cody Coleman a freshman steerwrestler from Mims, FL; and Khaki Joe Holland a sophomore barrel racer and goat tier from Carthage who is sitting 7^th in goat tying.

Panola College’s women’s team is sitting 8^th in the region and has been all Khaki Joe Holland.  Khaki has placed in 4 of 5 rodeos, winning third in several to give the girl’s team their only points.

The boy’s team for Panola is currently sitting in 10^th place and is looking to move up quickly this semester.  After a slow start in the first 4 rodeos last fall, the Panola College team will be at full strength this semester.  Bryce Barney will be one of those new additions now that he is completely healthy and eligible to compete.  Bryce in his first collegiate rodeo placed 3^rd in steerwrestling and won the average at the Trinity Valley Community College Rodeo several weeks ago. 

“We have several athletes that didn’t compete in the first four rodeos last fall and we are excited to have them with us this semester.  With our nucleus of kids’ from last semester we now hope to be firing on all cylinders,” noted first year rodeo coach Dameon White.  “This weekends rodeo will be an exciting event.  It will showcase the up and coming talent in the collegiate ranks and some have already made a mark professionally.  We had 5 from the Southern Region compete in the 2011 National Finals Rodeo, including Panola College’s own bullrider Chandler Bownds.”