Lancer Rodeo Team Opens Spring Season with Strong Showing in Gillette

By Jace Hurlburt

EWC Student

TORRINGTON, Wyo. –  With the arrival of spring, the Eastern Wyoming College Lancer Rodeo Team returned to competition after a five-month break, opening the season with a strong performance at a rodeo in Gillette last weekend.

Eastern Wyoming College Rodeo Coach Whit Peterson said the team showed promising efforts across multiple events as it begins its spring run.

The Lancers found success in the rough stock events, led by freshman saddle bronc riders Kutter Accord and Sawyer Hutchinson. Accord posted a 62-point ride in the long round before improving to 75 points on championship Sunday to secure a sixth-place finish. Hutchinson followed with scores of 71 and 70, earning a fourth-place finish and building momentum for the remainder of the season.

Sophomore Eli Leppell highlighted the bull riding competition as the only rider to cover his bull, earning the championship title.

On the timed event side, the women’s team delivered standout performances in barrel racing. South Dakota’s Griffin Grooms, riding her stallion CFour Tiny Can, clocked a 15.21 in the long round to place third. She followed with a 15.28 in the short round, finishing as the reserve champion.

Teammate Tava Sexton also turned in a strong performance, finishing eighth overall with a 15.49 in the long round and a 15.58 in the short round.

The Lancers will compete next at their hometown rodeo scheduled for this weekend, March 27-29, at the Goshen County Fairgrounds in Torrington.

Admission is free for those 18 and under. Adult tickets are $10, or $20 for a weekend pass.

Community members are encouraged to attend and support the Lancer Rodeo Team as it continues its spring season.