A Team Built on Tenacity Tarleton State Women Look to Make a Run at the CNFR Title

The Tarleton State University women’s rodeo team is out for blood this year at the College National Finals Rodeo. After a second place finish last year as a team, they say they have something to prove to everyone.

Five girls will be competing in the purple vest after an absolute domination of the Southwest Region this year. They won the region by over 1,350 points with two event champions and five outright qualifications.

The team is bringing an incredible amount of experience. The three core members are Tori Brower, Jordan Driver, and Hadley Tidwell as they were a part of the reserve champion team last year. Between the three athletes they have 10 CNFR qualifications.

Driver was this year’s all-around champion as well as the top barrel racer. Being the all-around cowgirl means that she will also be competing in the breakaway roping. Her pair of geldings has put her on the map as they continue to crush competition in the barrel racing. Last year she was in the top-25 in the world standings and she’s gunning for her first National Finals Rodeo qualification.

Frank Phillips College transfer Jacelyn Frost and freshman Kaylie Garza are headed into the first qualification in the breakaway roping. Frost won the region and Garza fought hard for a third place finish. Tori Brower will be the lone goat tier, but as a two-time region champion we will surely see her in the finals and could potentially see a purple vest in every event.

There is not an athlete on this team who doesn’t credit their success to the backbone of the team: Mark Eakin and Brittany Stewart. 

“They set us up to be successful, not just during our time here, but when we step out on our own as well,” said Driver.

The girls are truly a tight knit group and that makes all the difference to be successful in the arena. 

“In this sport you really do find your people, because it takes a village to accomplish this and finding friends like this has been the biggest blessing rodeo could bring me,” said Tidwell.

They are each other’s biggest cheerleaders and none of them speak about their personal goals. The only goal is to do their jobs and take home the national championship as a team. Both Brower and Garza talked about their ability to encourage and push each other to do their very best.

The purple vest means a great deal to these women and anybody who has the opportunity to wear it. No matter the outcome of this years CNFR these girls will be bonded for life and have gained so much through TSU. This program, the city, the surrounding counties, etc. are invested into the success of their student athletes both during and after their time at TSU. Good luck to these women as they prepare for the CNFR.

Photo Courtesy of TSU Rodeo Media/ Sage Tomeu