ALVA, Okla. – Northwestern Oklahoma State University rodeo coach Cali Griffin has a way to find the positives through some tough situations.
The Rangers weren’t their typical dominant selves this past weekend at the Garden City (Kansas) Community College rodeo, but Griffin has been able to find the bright spots.
“This is really going to motivate us going into the next three weeks,” Griffin said, noting that the trio of consecutive events will close out the Central Plains Region season.
Tie-down roper Kerry Duvall led the way for the Northwestern teams, placing in both go-rounds and finishing tied for second overall. He posted a 9.9-second run to finish third in the opening round, then followed up with a 9.5 to finish second in the championship.
“I was able to get a good chunk of points, and it’s awesome because now we’ve got three in a row,” said Duvall, a senior from Oakdale, California. “We’ve just got to keep the ball rolling. I love it, because I love taking off and going rodeoing. I’ll be at school for three days, then I’m in the rig taking off to another rodeo.
“With the success of the previous one with me, I can just go out there and make two good runs on these calves at each of these rodeos and see if I can win something.”
With his performance in western Kansas, Duvall moved into the top 10 in the regional standings. He’s got some ground to still make up, though; only the top three competitors on the list at the conclusion of the 10-event season advance to the College National Finals Rodeo, which takes place in June at Casper, Wyoming.
“I knew I had a really good calf in the short-go, and I just went out there and made me another run,” Duvall said. “Now that I’ve gotten to this point in my life, I’ve started to realize just how fast I am and how I can just go out there and make a run and can be under 10 seconds. It’s easier for me because I can just back in the box and go make that run.”
His experience can pay big dividends. He was one of 10 Rangers in Garden City’s championship round, joined by fellow tie-down roper Hazen Sparks of Talihina, Oklahoma, and steer wrestlers Emmett Edler of State Center, Iowa, and Jacob Haren of Callaway, Nebraska. Sparks placed in both rounds and finished fifth in the aggregate. Edler was 6.3 seconds to finish in a tie for third place in the opening round, and Haren secured a sixth-place finish in the short round.
The women were led by newcomer River Hamaker of Leon, Iowa. A breakaway roper, Hamaker placed in the championship round and finished fifth overall.
“I’m really proud of River and Duvall both,” Griffin said. “They’ve really stepped up the last couple weeks.”
Two other breakaway ropers – Brylee Zook of Garnett, Kansas, and Trista Regner of Apple Valley, California – scored points in the long round, stopping the clock in 2.3 seconds to finish in a four-way tie for fifth place. Neither found much success in the short round. Goat-tiers Dale Lee Forman of Highmore, South Dakota, and Savannah Greenfield of Lakeview, Oregon, scored points; Forman finished fourth in the short round, and Greenfield was sixth in the first section. Team roping heeler Tess Mortenson of Souris, South Dakota, earned a spot in the final round while roping with Jezimay Watson of Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
For Hamaker, it was the first time she’s earned points since transferring from Fort Scott (Kansas) Community College for the spring semester.
“It was really exciting for me to be placing in a round and the average,” she said. “It’s really a blessing, and I felt like I finally was confident in myself and my abilities and just trusted in God, and it all worked out.”
Like Duvall had in his trusty Dually, a 7-year-old sorrel gelding, Hamaker leaned on Little Bit, a 17-year-old sorrel mare.
“She helps me with everything,” Hamaker said. “She’s an awesome horse and puts me in position to be successful every time. She’s the main part of my success.”
The Iowa cowgirl chose to continue her education in Alva after graduating from Fort Scott. With it, she followed a path laid by Griffin, who was an assistant at the southeastern Kansas college a year ago.
“I loved her when she was my coach there,” Hamaker said of Griffin. “I just knew she was going to help me be successful if I transferred here, and she’s really helped me a lot with my roping.”
It’s part of the process for young contestants who thrive on achievement.
“This past weekend was kind of my breakthrough,” Hamaker said. “I’m finally figuring out my roping, and now I know how to win and just keep ahold of that and start a winning streak.”