Barnett takes calf roping average as Muleriders put five in short round
News from Southern Arkansas University
MAGNOLIA, AR (09/29/2026) Westin Barnett won the calf roping at the University of West Alabama rodeo, held September 24-26 in Livingston, AL, to lead the Southern Arkansas University rodeo team.
Barnett won the first go-round with a 10.0 in Friday slack. He followed with a second-place finish in the short round and took first in the average.
In goat tying, Natalie King opened with a 10.1 in Friday’s performance to tie for ninth and tenth in the first go-round. She placed sixth in the short round and finished sixth in the average.
Braden Kegley and Titus Caudle qualified for the short round in team roping, placing eighth in the first go-round with a 14.4 in Friday slack. In steer wrestling, Jacob Townsend earned his spot in the short round with a 10.9 in Friday’s performance, good for 10th in the first go-round. All three competed Saturday night against the top 10 in their events.
In breakaway roping, Jenna Dunbar won Thursday’s performance with a 3.2 and finished 11th in the first go-round out of 108 entries, one spot short of qualifying for the short round.
All contestants compete in the first go-round, which is made up of the Thursday and Friday performances and the Thursday night and Friday morning slack. The top 10 in each event advance to the short round on Saturday night. Event champions are decided by the average across both rounds.
The Southern Arkansas University rodeo team is coached by Rusty Hayes and competes in the Ozark Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. The Ozark Region consists of over 15 schools ranging across colleges and universities in Arkansas, northern and eastern Louisiana, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama, Michigan, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois. There are roughly 400 contestants that compete in the Ozark Region.
Up next, the Mulerider rodeo team will travel to Monticello, Ark., for the University of Arkansas-Monticello rodeo, Oct. 1-3.
Southern Arkansas University has traditionally hosted its home rodeo in the fall. This year, the SAU rodeo is moving to the spring and will be held April 1-3, 2027, at Story Arena in Magnolia. Fans are encouraged to mark their calendars and make plans to join us in Magnolia to cheer on the Muleriders this spring.
About SAU:
Southern Arkansas University provides students with the complete college experience in a caring environment of service, innovation, and community. With more than 100 degrees in four distinct colleges and the School of Graduate Studies, SAU initiates new degree programs to fit the needs of career and professional trends of today. As part of this commitment, SAU proudly offers the Next Step Guarantee program, ensuring that students receive the necessary resources, career guidance, and support to transition successfully from college to their chosen careers or graduate studies.