EWC Cowgirl Wins Short Round at CNFR
June 21, 2004
(Torrington, WY) Eastern Wyoming College cowgirl Jamie Tafoya won the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) short round in the barrel racing with a blazing time of 14.03. The run moved her up in the standings where she finished fourth in the nation.
Tafoya, a freshman from Jackson, qualified for the CNFR when she was named the reserve regional champion. "The CNFR is an endurance contest; contestants compete four times throughout the week," Jake Clark, EWC Rodeo Coach, said. "Jamie out-ran the 12 top barrel racers in the nation." "We are looking forward to Jamie's return to EWC this fall," Clark continued.
Torrington native and EWC sophomore Brent Zurcher qualified for the short round with partner Zane Marty (a former EWC student). Zurcher and Marty placed fifth in the third round, third in the short round and ended up seventh in the nation.
"Brent is a solid heeler," Clark said. "They had a little tough luck in the first round, but still roped their way to the short round. He will be a strong contender for us again this fall."
Kean Edwards represented EWC in the calf roping and Jacob Rinehart competed in the steer wrestling. "Kean and Jacob are great cowboys. Things didn't go their way last week, but they will go on to great places with their talents," Clark said. "I appreciated having them as student athletes the past two years."
The CNFR was held in Casper June 13-19. "EWC's student athletes represented us well this past week," Clark concluded. "We have Jamie and Brent returning as CNFR qualifiers and a whole slate of returning and new students for this fall."
