Wahlert, Johnson rope their way into Odessa College Rodeo Finals

CANYON, Texas — Two West Texas A&M University cowboys advanced to the calf roping finals at the WT rodeo team’s first event of 2021.

Twenty-eight members of the rodeo team competed Feb. 25 to 27 at the Odessa College Rodeo.

Owen Wahlert of Grover, Colo., and Kallen Johnson of Canyon both advanced to the short go-round in the team’s first event since 2019. Each earned cash prizes and points in their quest to advance to the College National Finals Rodeo in June.

“Our WT team represented us very well,” said Jordan Jo Fabrizio, assistant coach. “And we’re excited to be back in the saddle this semester, with five more rodeos planned through April.”

The team will next compete March 18 to 20 at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, N.M.; March 25 to 27 at Ranger College in Sweetwater; April 8 to 10 at Howard College in Big Spring; April 15 to 17 at Western Texas College in Snyder; and April 22 to 24 at Tarleton State University in Stephenville.

The rodeo team — which boasts 40 members from around the country — has been a WT fixture for more than 25 years, with four regional champions and four CNFR qualifiers in the past five years. The team has been spotlighted in “Around Texas with Chancellor John Sharp,” a new television show that will make its debut in the Amarillo area at 4:30 p.m. March 14 on Panhandle PBS. The episode can be viewed online: youtu.be/4RuwcyRG9c8.

WT’s rodeo team is an example of the University’s responsiveness to the Texas Panhandle, as outlined in the University’s long-term plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.