National High School All Around Champion Attends EWC
August 31, 2004
Jake Clark, Rodeo Coach, & Jamie Jo Mekelburg,
Recruiting Coordinator, congratulating Brandon Dufurrena
for his accomplishments and new pick-up.
(Torrington, WY) In the small town of Crawford, Nebraska, a champion was created. Not just any champion, but a National Champion. Brandon Dufurrena excels in rodeo. At the Nebraska High School State Finals Rodeo he won the bull-riding and saddle bronc competitions, as well as the Nebraska State All-Around Cowboy; and he didn't stop there. At the National High School Finals Rodeo, Brandon went on to win National All-Around Cowboy. Students from 39 states, 5 Canadian provinces, and Australia participated in the National competition. Brandon beat them all to win the All-Around cowboy award, which means he was the best cowboy there scoring the most points in his events combined. Brandon is a National Champion, who, because of his success, has won 5 saddles and a horse trailer in the last month. He was also sponsored with a Dodge pickup from a dealer in Chadron, NE. As the school year approaches, Brandon will pack up and head to Torrington to continue his education at Eastern Wyoming College.
He will major in business and compete in the bull riding and saddle bronc events at the collegiate level. "Brandon will bring a lot to the team because he is strong in two events. Since you can only have six guys counting towards points, it's an advantage to have someone who scores in multiple events. He will also bring a great winning attitude to the team," explained EWC Rodeo coach Jake Clark. But this isn't the first time EWC has been home to great athletes such as Brandon. In the last six years EWC has produced forty-four national qualifiers, ten regional reserve champions and eleven regional champions in rodeo. A great rodeo program, no doubt, draws cowboys and cowgirls to EWC, but other aspects of the school work together to convince them that EWC is the place they want to be. "It takes a combination of things," stated Jake Clark, "good rodeo, good scholarships, and a good school and community."
EWC has more than a handful of things to offer incoming freshman. Excellent faculty and staff make EWC warm and comforting to students away from home for the first time. Small classes mean more individual time for a student, which provides lifetime relationships and an education second to none. "I like the size of EWC. I wanted to go to a place where I will know whom I'm graduating with. The small size allows you to know everyone and that makes me feel comfortable there," commented National Champion, Brandon Dufurrena.
"I am looking forward to the 2004 -2005 season. We have a well rounded team with several returning members and some with College National Finals experience. We also have a great group of freshman about 30 strong that will bring a lot of talent to the team as well," explained EWC rodeo coach Jake Clark. EWC has definitely brought in a great group of athletes this season who exemplify the type of student athlete EWC is looking for. Coach Clark added, "We hope that each student has a great experience with school as well as college rodeo during their time at EWC.
