Rodeo Teams Aiming for CNFR Title

June 6, 2006

WEATHERFORD – Southwestern Oklahoma State will bring some of the top cowboys and cowgirls in the nation and is expected to be among the main challengers for both men’s and women’s team titles in the 2006 College National Finals Rodeo. The event, now in its 57th year, will be held indoors in the Casper Events Center in Casper, Wyo., June 11-17.

SWOSU coach Chad Ramirez has assembled teams that are both experienced and talented as the school looks to collect its seventh rodeo title, and its first since the men won in 1999.

Bandy Murphy is the headliner for the SWOSU men and is ranked among the top all-around cowboys in the nation. Murphy qualified for all three rough stock events – saddle bronc, bareback and bull riding. He will be joined by teammates Jesse Kulczycki, team roping, Tony Sauter, calf roping and steer wrestling; Paul Gavin in bull riding and Steven Smith in bareback riding.

SWOSU’s women have the nation’s top barrel racer in Sarah Ellingson. She will also compete in the goat tying competition along with teammates Audra Hays and Martha Beagley. The team’s final member, Julie Dawson, qualified for the breakaway roping event.

SWOSU was the runaway winner in both the Central Plains men’s and women’s regional standings. The Bulldogs toughest competition will likely come from defending champion Tarleton State University.