Tarleton State Rodeo out of Stephenville, Texas continues its dominance, qualifying many student athletes for the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper.
The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association's 2026 season is beginning to take its final shape, and once again, Tarleton State University is at the center of it.
At the conclusion of the inaugural Lone Star Region season, Tarleton secured the Men's team championship and Women's reserve team championship continuing a standard of excellence that has defined the program for decades. With the win, both teams advance to the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in Casper, joined by a long list of individual qualifiers who earned their place through a full season of region rodeos.
The Lone Star Region, formed after the split of the former Southwest Region, brought together some of the most competitive college rodeo programs in Texas. The final rodeo of the season, hosted at the Tarleton Stampede, provided a fitting stage.
Competition began at the Cowboy Capital of the World Fairgrounds, the pro rodeo venue that reflects Stephenville’s deep ties to the sport. When weather moved in, forcing the short round to relocate to the Doty Rodeo Complex, Tarleton’s home facility, the transition was handled seamlessly. Despite less than ideal conditions, the event maintained a high level of production and competition, continuing to prove the program’s ability to operate at a championship level both in and out of the arena.
Among those in attendance was Tarleton State President James Hurley, who watched as the program he leads delivered yet another dominant performance. His presence and ongoing support for the rodeo team goes to show the importance of rodeo to the university and the broader Stephenville community. At Tarleton, rodeo is not treated as an extracurricular activity or a college club, instead it is a cornerstone of the institution’s identity.
That identity is built on results.
The NIRA sends the top two teams from each region, along with the top three individuals in every event, to the CNFR. Tarleton will be heavily represented on both fronts.
On the women’s side, Rylee Grace Abel will lead the charge as an all around contender. She will head to Casper in both the breakaway roping and the goat tying. Her ability to compete and win across multiple events while wearing the purple vest reflects the type of versatility that has become synonymous with these Tarleton athletes.
Event champions sent many more to the CNFR. Waitley Sharon secured back-to-back regional titles in saddle bronc riding, while Devon Moore claimed the bareback riding title. In the timed events, Travis Staley won the tie-down roping, Jenna Fulton topped the breakaway roping, and freshman cowgirl Faith Lundberg came out on top as the goat tying champion.
Beyond those titles, several other Tarleton athletes secured qualification spots, ensuring that the team heading to Casper will be among the largest and most competitive.
Tarleton’s rodeo program has long been recognized as the standard in college rodeo. The Texans have accumulated 41 national titles, more than any program in the history of the sport. In 2025, the men’s team captured its second consecutive national championship, while the women’s team finished as the reserve national champion for the second straight year.
The expectations that come with that kind if winning history is significant, but Tarleton continues to meet them year after year.
Under the leadership of head men’s coach Mark Eakin and head women’s coach Brittany Stewart, the program has maintained top honors. They attract and recruit the best of the best student rodeo athletes out there. The result is a roster that is not only talented, but experienced in winning.
As the focus shifts to the CNFR, Tarleton will arrive in Casper in a familiar position, with expectations set high.
The CNFR represents the highest level of college rodeo, bringing together the best athletes from across the country. For Tarleton, it is another opportunity to add to a legacy that is already unmatched.