Feather River College Rodeo Wins first Rodeo of Season

The returning West Coast Region champion Feather River College rodeo team proved once again it had the skills to make the small-town college stand out above the rest. In the first rodeo of the season, hosted by FRC, the Feather River men's and women's teams won first place.

The rodeo took place last Friday and Saturday at the Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds. Lassen College, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Cal Poly, Fresno State, West Hills College and Cal Poly Pamona all shot for the win, but couldn't outride the local team.

"I think the rodeo went pretty good," said FRC's head rodeo coach, Jesse Segura. "And we haven't even reached our potential yet. We have a lot of freshmen this year who are just learning how to do this."

Of the 66 members on FRC's rodeo team, 39 are freshmen. This was the first rodeo for a good number of them and, according to Segura, many were pretty nervous.

In addition to winning the overall rodeo, many members of FRC's team came out with wins despite the team's overall youth. FRC's youthfulness helped kick-start the team's energy level.

The all-around rodeo winners were both from Feather River College. Dane Browning took the all-around title for the men's team and Courtney Wood won it for the women's.

Grant Denny took first place in the bareback riding category while Quincy Crum won the saddle bronc riding. Brandan Mackenzie placed first in the steer wrestling and Dakota Freeman won breakaway roping. Lastly, Kaley Wilson placed first in the goat tying event.

"We're really thankful for all the support we get from the community here," continued Segura. "People came and filled the stands both days of the rodeo. You don't always get that in smaller communities."

Part of the reason the community is so strongly involved is due to the community service the rodeo team provides. The first day of the rodeo was the annual Tough Enough to Wear Pink fundraiser.

All the members of the FRC rodeo team rode in pink Friday. Donations for the Quincy Breast Cancer Support Group came in swarms. In total, the team raised $2,200 for the group.

The group was formed so people who are diagnosed with cancer will have someone with which to work through their questions and concerns. Those interested in donating to the group can contact Segura at jsegura@frc.edu.