CROWNPOINT, N.M. – On March 19, 2016, the Navajo Technical University men’s rodeo team made school history in winning the University of Arizona’s college rodeo in Tucson. The win was the first for NTU since it started competing in the Grand Canyon Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association in the early 1990s.
NTU finished the rodeo with 466 points, 11 more than second-place New Mexico State University and 64 more than Central Arizona College, who sits in first place in the Grand Canyon Region’s overall standings. Pacing the NTU Skyhawks was roping heeler Benji Sam, who finished the day in first place with a total time of 6.5 seconds along with his roping partner Lucas MacKenzie of NMSU.
Sam, who hails from Chinle, Arizona, has been on a roll during the spring rodeo season, placing third at the Cochise College rodeo on March 5, second at the Central Arizona College rodeo on March 12, and now first at the Arizona rodeo.
“Benji is a great asset who works on the small things to be successful,” said NTU rodeo coach, Nigel Harvey. “He has a passion for what he does and is something he really wants to do everyday.”
Finishing in third in Arizona behind Sam was the team roping duo of Tyson Charley and header Jay Becenti, who finished the day after two goes with a total of 6.7 seconds. Also finishing third was steer wrestler Jared Pino, who closed out the rodeo with a total time of 14 seconds over two rides.
“I’m still smiling from ear to ear with the team’s win,” said Harvey. “Consistency is something that we stress and it’s paying off for the team.”
The rodeo team will next compete in NTU’s own rodeo, which will be held in Window Rock, Arizona, at the Dean C. Jackson Memorial Arena, April 1-2. The NTU men’s rodeo team sits in fifth place in the Grand Canyon Region, but is within striking distance of Mesalands Community College.
Sam is in second place in the overall standings in team roping as is NTU bull rider Archie Becenti, Jr. Charley and Becenti are currently in 13th place in team roping as is Pino. Saddle Bronc rider Soshane Kee is currently in ninth place despite missing the entire fall rodeo season.
For more information about NTU’s rodeo team, contact coach Nigel Harvey at nharvey@navajotech.edu.
