Hill College to send six student-athletes to College National Finals Rodeo

Six student-athletes on the Hill College Rodeo team have punched their tickets to the College National Finals Rodeo following the final standings of the 2023-2024 National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s Southern Region.

Only the top three individuals in each event advance to the CNFR June 9-15 in Casper, Wyoming.

The NIRA Southern Region consisted of 10 rodeos which began in September 2023 and ended last week in Hillsboro and consists of Hill College, Louisiana Tech University, McNeese State University, Northeast Texas Community College, Panola College, Sam Houston State University, Southwest Texas Junior College, Stephen F. Austin State University, Texas A&M University, Texas A&M University - Commerce, Trinity Valley Community College, Wharton County Junior College, Blinn College and Texas A&M University - Kingsville.

Overall, the Hill College men’s team finished fourth in the region behind McNeese State University, Sam Houston State University, and Southwest Texas Junior College.

The Hill College women’s team finished fifth behind Texas A&M University, Sam Houston State University, Texas A&M University – Commerce, and McNeese State University.

Sophomore Kalli McCall (Lufkin) was the lone female student-athlete for Hill College advancing to nationals by taking first place in the Southern Region in barrel racing.

“Kalli has had an outstanding year both collegiately and professionally,” Brown said. “She was crowned the WPRA Resistol Rookie of the Year in 2023 and was the first female athlete to win a regional championship in more than 10 years for Hill College. I am extremely excited to watch her at the college finals this summer.”

In the men’s division, sophomore Coy Hebert (Louisiana) finished second in the region in saddle bronc; freshman JA’koby Douch was second in tie down roping; and James Arviso was second in team roping header.

"We have some outstanding young men representing us at this year’s CNFR,” Brown added. “We don’t have a full team, but I think these student-athletes can carry Hill College to a National Top 10 finish.”

Freshmen Sam Shofner (Jasper) ended it in fourth place on the heeling side of the team roping but got picked up and will rope with partner Cole Pugh (who won the Men’s All-Around Title and is a member of the Sam Houston State University rodeo team). Shofner will be Hill College’s fifth college athlete at the 2024 CNFR.

Bryce Jensen (Huntsville) will also be at CNFR representing Hill College in bull riding.

Brown said no bull rider was able to record a successful ride at last week’s Hill College Rodeo – as the bulls were aggressive.

“We had some tough stock at our rodeo,” Brown added. “Bryce tried his guts out. He rode for 7 seconds – the longest ride all weekend – but was a second too short.”

The complete 2023-2024 NIRA Southern Region Standings may be found at the following: https://collegerodeo.com/standings/southern-region-standings/.

The entire CNFR will be shown on the ESPN3 app, and a special showing of highlights will be televised on ESPNU in August.

For more information on the Hill College rodeo program, please visit https://hillcollegeathletics.com.