CASPER, Wyo. - After a week of action at the College Nationals Finals Rodeo, the University of West Alabama's Ashley Henderson, Joanna Hammett, and Kota Wilhite moved on to the Championship Round in their respective events on Friday.
After winning the Ozark Region Championship back in April, Henderson will compete for the National Championship in the Breakaway Roping on Saturday, after finishing seventh overall with an average of 9.8. In Round One, the reigning Ozark Champion accumulated a time of 4.1, before claiming a 3.0 time in Round Two. On Tuesday night, Henderson put together her best performance as she registered a 2.7 time to lock up a spot in the Short Round on Saturday night.
"This feels amazing to me," said Henderson. "This is my Graduate year and final year of College Rodeo, so I'm grateful to get the maximum amount of runs and time in these events before it's all over."
For Hammett, she's the reigning Reserve Champion in the Ozark Region and looks to claim a National Title in the Goat Tying on Saturday. The senior finished eighth with a 20.4 average, with her fastest time coming in Round One. Hammett recorded a 6.6 time in Round One and was consistent throughout the week, registering times of 6.8 and 7.0 in Rounds Two and Three.
"It's a great feeling to be out here," Hammett stated. "I've never made a Short Go before so this will be my first one. To be here and represent West Alabama is truly a blessing."
Wilhite was one of the additions to UWA's Six-Man team and will now represent the Tigers in the National Championship. The graduate student will compete in the Tie Down Roping after accumulating an average of 40.0 throughout the week. Wilhite began the week with times of 12.3 and 17.4 in Rounds One and Two, before putting together his best performance on Wednesday night in Round Three. The Tie Down Roper skyrocketing up the leaderboard and fell into the 11th spot in the Aggregate with a 10.4 time in Round Three, securing a slot in the Championship.
"It feels great to advance to the Short Round," Wilhite exclaimed. "I haven't made a Short Go in my career, so this was well over due. I can't think of a better school to represent than UWA."
Henderson, Hammett, and Wilhite will compete for their respective individual National Championship, beginning at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday night. You can watch live as the event will be televised on ESPN3.
