UNLV women win rodeo title

Spencer Patterson

Friday, June 25, 1999 | 11:06 a.m.

For the past 14 years, Las Vegas has been home to the country's largest professional rodeo event. Now, the city can also boast the nation's top women's collegiate rodeo team -- the UNLV Ropin' Rebels.

Last Saturday, UNLV captured its first National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association title, winning the women's championship after a week-long event in Casper, Wyo.

"We thought this was the year the women had a good shot at it," said Fred Preston, one of the squad's two coaches. "We had a good feeling going in."

Nevertheless, the victory was far from easy for the Rebels, who squeaked past Texas' Tarleton State University by a slim 7.5 point margin.

"It really came down to the last round," said Rick Griffith, the club's other coach. "I've never seen the girls that happy before."

Graduated senior Stacey Sorenson put the finishing touches on the win, roping a calf in 2.3 seconds to win the final event. Sorenson's time -- the week's fastest overall -- also helped her finish third in the women's all-around championship.

Joining Sorenson on UNLV's four-woman team were: junior captain Nora Hunt, senior Cody Winchell and sophomore Katie Marvel. Winchell and Marvel are native Nevadans while Hunt and Sorenson hail from California and Utah, respectively.

"In rodeo, you practice for yourself and there's so much individual stuff to win," said Hunt, who transferred to UNLV last year from California's West Hills College. "But a team championship is the neatest thing you can win. To see your teammate do well is a good feeling. It was a super conclusion to the year."

Hunt said she was particularly proud that her club bested teams from traditional rodeo powers such as Texas and Oklahoma.

"It wasn't the Texans or the Okies that won. We're all from the West Coast," Hunt said. "We all had a goal and it all worked out really well."

The Rebels' previous top finish at nationals was seventh, last season. The men's squad placed second at last year's event.