DOUGLAS — The Cochise College rodeo team kicks off the season this weekend at Dine College in Tsaile, Ariz., with performance rounds Friday night, followed by Saturday morning slack and evening championship.
The Apaches start 2014-15 fresh off a fourth-place national finish by the women’s squad over the summer. This year’s team returns Georgia Diez, Makayla Boots and Arianna Assini, who barrel raced, goat tied and breakaway roped their way to a stellar performance in June at the College National Finals Rodeo in Wyoming, which features the best cowboys and cowgirls from all divisions of colleges and universities.
The Apaches will look to build on a season that also saw the women close the regular season as runners-up in the Grand Canyon Region, head coach Rick Smith named the region’s Coach of the Year, and the 2013 Cochise County Fair Rodeo recognized as the region’s Rodeo of the Year.
Smith and his wife, Lynn, who are entering their third year at the helm of the Cochise rodeo program, said they’re welcoming high expectations.
“The worst thing you can ever have is teams without expectations,” he laughed. “Expectations are great. You don’t hide from them. The reason those girls had success last year is because they were very dedicated and worked very hard. They’re just continuing that, not at all satisfied. They’re proud of their accomplishments, but I can tell you they want more, and they will do the work that will enable them to compete for what they want, which I’m sure is a national championship.”
Cochise’s roster sports several newcomers joining the veteran Apaches. In addition to Diez, Boots and Assini, the women’s team brings back Katie Rose Adams, who finished in the region’s top 15 in breakaway roping last year, and Shyanne Summerfield, who performed well in barrel racing. New to the team are Anna Barker, Hallie Fulton, Janey Reeves and Bandee Tubbs.
For the men’s team, Cochise lost saddle bronc rider Charlie Kogianes, who finished seventh in the nation at CNFR, but returns J.D. Aquilina in bareback riding, Bobby Flores in team roping, and Wade Kane in saddle bronc riding. Newcomers are Jake Bewley, Casey Harris and Jalen Joaquin.
The Apaches continue the season with the Cochise County Fair rodeo next weekend, Sept. 26-27, and wrap up their fall schedule Oct. 10-11 at Mesalands in New Mexico. The spring rodeo schedule will be set late next month, as the program also prepares for a fundraiser tied to the college’s 50th anniversary celebrations that will bring Smith’s friend, actor Wilford Brimley, to the Douglas Campus.
Brimley will be in Douglas on Saturday, Nov. 15 to speak and meet dinner guests. Tickets will be available and prices announced in October. For more information about the fundraiser, check the 50th anniversary schedule at www.cochise.edu/50 or call the Cochise College Foundation at (520) 417-4735.