LIVINGSTON, Ala. - West Alabama, Heather McLaughlin, finished fifth in  the nation in goat tying at the 2021 College National Finals Rodeo.

"Heather laid it all on the line," UWA head rodeo coach Daniel Poole said. "She was competing against the best in the country and proved that she belongs in that category as well."

McLaughlin split third with Maddee Doerr from Cochise College in goat tying with a mark of 6.8 in the championship round. 

McLaughlin's mark in the first go was 7.3. She then followed with a 7.2 mark in the second go, and then placed second with a mark of 6.4 in the third go.

"Her first two runs were good, but she had a couple bobbles," Poole said. "She knew that she had to be fast on her third run to stand a chance at the championship round."

Jill Donnelly from Cochise College won the event with a mark of 6.5 in the championship round. Placing second in goat tying was Sheyenne Anderson from Missouri Valley College with the fastest mark of 6.2 in the championship round. 

Final Goat Tying Results

McLaughlin also competed in breakaway roping.

"She roped her first two in the breakaway round but missed her third one which took her out of it," Poole said.

Final Breakaway Roping Results

"We know what we need to improve on and the new season is just around the corner. It's time to get to work," Poole said. 

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