East Mississippi Community College rodeo coach Morgan Goodrich felt like a proud parent Wednesday night.
A dream four years ago becomes reality later today when EMCC plays host to an Ozark Region spring rodeo. The three-day event runs through Saturday at West Point’s Eagle Ranch.
“Every day, I feel like I should be more nervous, but I am not,” Goodrich said.”We have a great group of volunteers and a great group of sponsors. I think area rodeo fans will be treated to an incredible experience.”
Sessions today and Friday begin at 7 p.m., while Saturday’s competition begins at 2 p.m. General admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students.
EMCC launched a rodeo program four years ago as part of an overhaul of the school’s athletics program. From the day of the first practice, the goal was to get to this point.
“This has been four years in the making and a tremendous amount of work has gotten us to this point,” Goodrich said. “Dr. (Rick) Young has a vision for all of the athletic programs, and nothing is going to be second-best. We knew we had to grow the program to the point where this would be a reality.
“We have our sets sight on next year and ways we can make this event any better.”
The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s Ozark Region includes two- and four-year schools. This event is a regular competition on the Ozark Region 2013 schedule. Participants will compete for tournament championships and to earn points to help qualify for the national championships later this spring.
“You will see a wide range of competitors,” Goodrich said. “We will have about 350 student-athletes competing and there will be some of the very best collegiate rodeo participants. The competition will be very good like it is each time we compete.”
The tournament field is expected to include the University of Tennessee at Martin, University of West Alabama, Murray State University, Troy University, University of Arkansas at Monticello, and two-year schools Missouri Valley College, Southern Arkansas University, Three Rivers College, Northwest Mississippi C.C. and Cossatot C.C.
The UT Martin men are ranked second behind the College of Southern Idaho in the national NIRA standings. The Missouri Valley College men are No. 18. Ranked women’s teams include Troy (No. 14) and Southern Arkansas at (No. 19). The EMCC men are third in the region standings behind UT Martin and Missouri Valley.
In the state of Mississippi, EMCC, Northwest, and Mississippi State University have the only rodeo teams. At MSU, rodeo is a club sport and doesn’t offer scholarships.
“We have been able to recruit some top-notch performers because of our situation,” Goodrich said. “You can come here, get a two-year education getting all the basics out of the way and do rodeo. Our situation is very unique, and that has allowed us to bring some of the best in from all over, as we continue to grow our program.”
Goodrich said the area also produces standout performers. The EMCC roster includes 17 Mississippians. That group includes Central Academy’s Kellie Hailey, Noxubee County High’s D.D. Hunt, Leake Academy’s (Macon resident) Lucas Jones, and Oak Hill Academy’s Kayla Lummus.
Lummus’ brother, Will, is a former EMCC rodeo performer. He will compete this weekend for UT Martin.
“Our first year, we had 12 people on the team,” Goodrich said. “In the second year, we got a barn. This year, we have 26 players competing, and next year we want to push that number to 30. Each day has been one slow step after another getting us to this point.”
Competing in long-go and short-go rounds throughout the three-day event, men’s events will be held in bareback riding, bull riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping, and tie-down roping. Women’s competition will include barrel racing, breakaway roping, and goat tying.
“Area rodeo fans will enjoy this weekend,” Goodrich said. “I just hope the kids take advantage of this opportunity. This is a rare chance for them to sleep in their own beds and come out each day and compete. There is a lot of nervous energy and excitement built up. This is a great chance to show our friends and family members what EMCC rodeo is all about.
“It is really hard to believe the time has come. We are so anxious to get started.”
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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